Participants in Antsiranana (June 2023)
SOA FIANATRA – Empowering Local Researchers: Academic Blogging Training in Madagascar
In June 2022, a groundbreaking initiative was launched in Madagascar to empower local researchers and bridge the gap between the south and the north, as well as the Francophone and Anglophone worlds. The series of academic blogging training sessions held in Antsiranana and Antananarivo aimed to raise the profiles of Malagasy researchers and overcome the challenges they face in disseminating their research internationally. With an impressive turnout of more than 50 participants in the first cohort alone, this program has shown great promise for the future of academic research in the country.
Enhancing Visibility and Dissemination
One of the primary goals of the academic blogging training in Madagascar was to elevate the profiles of local researchers by providing them with the necessary skills to effectively disseminate their work. Many talented researchers struggle to gain international recognition due to various hurdles, including limited access to international publication platforms, language barriers, and unfamiliarity with the intricacies of the peer review process. By embracing blogging as a means of sharing their findings, these researchers can bypass these obstacles and reach a wider audience.
Overcoming Language Barriers
A significant challenge faced by Malagasy researchers is the dominance of the French language in academic discourse. While French is widely spoken and used for scholarly publications in Madagascar, it limits the exposure of their research to the English-speaking academic community, which constitutes a significant portion of the global research landscape. The academic blogging training program acknowledges this language barrier and provides researchers with the tools to present their work in English, ensuring their findings can be accessed by a broader audience.
ARAKE’s Research Agenda
This initiative is part of the research agenda of the Association for Research and Knowledge Exchange (ARAKE). ARAKE recognizes the importance of fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between different regions and linguistic communities. By bridging the gap between the south and the north, as well as the Francophone and Anglophone worlds, ARAKE aims to create a more inclusive and diverse research environment. The academic blogging training program in Madagascar aligns perfectly with this agenda, empowering local researchers and promoting the international visibility of their work.
The Need for Ongoing Support
While the success of the first cohort of the academic blogging training program is promising, it is crucial that such initiatives receive continued support. The challenges faced by local researchers in disseminating their work internationally are systemic and require long-term solutions. Funding, resources, and ongoing training programs are necessary to sustain the momentum generated by this groundbreaking initiative. By investing in the capacity building of local researchers, we can unlock the untapped potential and valuable knowledge that exists within Madagascar’s academic community. At ARAKE, we believe in the power of collaboration and working with local institutions to ensure the effective dissemination of academic knowledge. One such valuable partnership we have established is with CIDST (Centre d’Information et de Documentation Scientifique et Technique). Through this collaboration, we have been able to leverage their expertise and resources to enhance the reach and impact of our projects. Together, we are breaking down barriers and empowering researchers to share their valuable insights, bridging the gap between local knowledge and the international academic community. SOA FIANATRA, the academic blogging training program in Madagascar, launched in June 2022, has brought hope and empowerment to local researchers. By providing them with the necessary skills to overcome language barriers and navigate the international research landscape, this initiative is facilitating the dissemination of valuable knowledge created within the country. As part of ARAKE’s research agenda, this program serves as a bridge between the south and the north, and the Francophone and Anglophone worlds. Continued support for such initiatives is essential to further empower local researchers and strengthen the global research community as a whole.
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