Analysis of the Context for Change


The analysis of the national and institutional contexts, in which the partner Universities from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda operate, lays down a strong foundation for improving their preparedness and capacity for knowledge triangle practices and innovation leadership. It enables the partner Universities to review and reform their institutional structures and agendas, build the vital human capital and strengthen the managerial expertise needed to lead and manage knowledge flows and innovation partnerships with a variety of stakeholders.

The analysis of the National Innovation Systems (NIS) in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and the analysis of the institutional contexts at partner Universities from these countries both follow the Guidance and Benchmarking Tools, developed by the researchers of EU partner institutions.

The AHEAD Guidance and Benchmarking Tool for NIS Analysis seeks to exploit the advantages of cross-national comparisons and transfer of models and approaches. It is based on the rationale that Eastern African countries encounter the same global challenges and competitive pressures faced by EU countries. Hence, EU strategies for sustainable growth and competitiveness are increasingly relevant in partner countries and are frequently promoted by donors and international organizations, such as World Bank. This tool is based on EU models, policies and practices of organizing and supporting the innovation and research cycle at national level. It provides key indicators for evaluating the NIS performance; the context and structure of the NIS; trade, tax and regulatory environment; innovation policy environment; policies and measures in support of innovation; and structure and specificity of the higher education system.

View the AHEAD Guidance and Benchmarking Tool for NIS Analysis

The AHEAD Tool for Institutional Self-Assessment is not based on comparison with concrete EU institutions. However, it presents the “golden standard” for research and innovation excellence accepted in the EU. The tool has three objectives:

a) Help each partner university from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda identify areas of research and innovation capacity that need attention, assessment and self-awareness;

b) Offer a checklist of the most typical innovation and research support structures and policies applied in established higher education institutions in the EU and around the globe and help partner Universities from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda assess to what extent such structures and policies are already present and developed in their institutions;

c) Inform a final benchmarking exercise among partner University from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, which will assist cooperation and exchange of good practices. Benchmarking against other universities in partner countries is considered very useful because the institutions operate in the same general context of knowledge and industrial structures and trends.

The Tool compares the performance of higher education institutions in the five broad dimensions of university activity: The output of educational institution; Research and knowledge transfer; International orientation; Stakeholders; Innovation in education.

View the AHEAD Tool for Institutional Self-Assessment

Based on these Guidance and Benchmarking Tools, project partners representing ten Eastern African Universities developed National Innovation System Analysis reports for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and Institutional Innovation and Research Capacity Self-Assessment reports. You can download the reports following the links below.

National Innovation System in Kenya

National Innovation System in Tanzania

National Innovation System in Uganda

Institutional Self-Assessment Report – Kenyatta University, Kenya

Institutional Self-Assessment Report – Kibabii University, Kenya

Institutional Self-Assessment Report – Makerere University, Uganda

Institutional Self-Assessment Report – Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya

Institutional Self-Assessment Report – Kisii University, Kenya

Institutional Self-Assessment Report – Dar Es Salaam Institute of Technology, Tanzania

Institutional Self-Assessment Report – State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania

Institutional Self-Assessment Report – Kyambogo University, Uganda

Institutional Self-Assessment Report – Lira University, Uganda

Institutional Self-Assessment Report – Mount Kenya University, Kenya