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This report and policy brief were commissioned by the African Science Granting Councils' Initiative (SCGI) as a motivating contribution for the theme of the Science Granting Council's 2019 Annual Forum in Tanzania: Open Science in Research and Innovation for Development. The report explores the impact of the digital revolution; describes the array of essential tools and processes required for the new paradigm of open science; and highlights the magnitude of the task of building a strong open science capacity on the contemporary framework of African science and its open science activities. Having identified the crucial enablers of open science that need to be put in place and inhibitors that need to be minimised or removed, the report the presents a series of recommendations. The strength of the Science Granting Councils lies in their intermediary position between governments and the science community, influencing and being influenced by both. Acting as a collective, they could achieve efficiencies of scale, stimulate virtual critical masses, intra- African collaboration and enhanced impact. They should consider the timely creation of an African open science area. They should explore the potential for convergence of relevant national policies, for radical changes in the modes of scientific communication and the use of science evaluation metrics. They should explore means of federating IT systems. They should engage with stakeholders in plotting a way forward, including governments, policymakers and science academies; researchers and their institutions, particularly the universities; and international supporters in seeking greater strategic convergence between their respective priorities.

This paper aims (i) to establish the extent to which alternative risk transfer influence the performance of hydroelectric energy projects in Kenya, (ii) to examine how Contingent capital influence the performance of hydroelectric energy projects in Kenya, (iii) to To assess the extent to which Credit enhancement influence performance of hydroelectric energy projects in Kenya, (iv) to determine the extent to which Hedging derivatives influence performance of hydroelectric energy projects in Kenya, (v) to examine how Insurance influence performance of hydroelectric energy projects in Kenya. The study adopted the pragmatism paradigm, mixed-method approach, and descriptive correlational survey design while questionnaires and interview guide were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from a census of 94 participants. This study recommends that project management and policymakers should integrate appropriate financial risk management instruments to improve the performance of hydroelectric energy projects besides developing targeted policies for strengthening the implementation of the financial risk management instruments to boost investors and lenders confidence

The purpose of the study was to examine how contingent capital influences the performance of hydroelectric energy projects in Kenya. The study was underpinned on pragmatism paradigm which allows the use of a mixed-method approach and descriptive correlational survey research design. Structured questionnaires and interview guides were used for the collection of quantitative and qualitative data from a sample size of 94 participants out of a target population of 94 subjects. A validity test was done on the instruments and a coefficient of 0.775 obtained using the Content Validity Index while reliability involved pretesting of the instruments amongst the 10% of the participants and Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.781 obtained. The analysis was done using both descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics of Correlation and Regression at a significance level of 0.05 with the aid of SPSS version 25 and thematic content analysis of qualitative data for triangulation. The hypothesis was tested using Simple linear regression and Pearson Correlation Coefficient models and the result was: H0: Contingent capital does not significantly influence the performance of hydroelectric energy projects in Kenya was rejected since P=0.000<0.05. Therefore, the study concluded that there is a significant influence of contingent capital on the performance of hydroelectric energy projects in Kenya. The study provides valuable knowledge on the effectiveness of contingent capital on the performance of hydroelectric energy projects for policy action and adoption by investors. It is recommended that Project management and policymakers should integrate Contingent capital to improve the performance of hydroelectric energy projects besides developing targeted policies for strengthening the implementation of contingent capital. Further research should be carried out on mechanisms of improving utilization of contingent capital in power projects in Kenya

The study examined inspection practices in secondary schools in Western Uganda. Towards achieving this objective, a Concurrent Triangulation Mixed Methods Design, involving questionnaire survey and interview, with a total of 399 participants in the categories of teachers, head teachers, school inspectors from 36 second ary schools in four districts of Western Uganda, was adopted. Quantitative data to test the resultant hypothesis were analysed using Chi Square Goodness of Fit Test while qualitative data were analysed using Qualitative Content Analysis. The study revealed that inspection practices in secondary schools were perceived as largely ineffective. The study concluded that despite the value attached to school inspection in the theoretical, political, and institutional and policy debates, inspectors continue to think and act according to the traditional notions of school inspection as evidenced by practices hinged on control. The major implication of the study is that understanding the practices before, during and after school inspection will allow policy makers, ins pectors, teachers and headteachers to design better practices and benefit from them. The study also proposes a theoretical model for effective school inspection that requires further research and measurement to determine its validity so that lessons can be learnt that can assist inspectors in the future.

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a major constraint to worker performance and health. However, research on their prevalence and associated factors among workers at gold mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is insufficient. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of WRMSDs among workers of a Gold Mine in South Kivu, DRC. METHODS: Cross sectional data on prevalence of WRMSDs and risk factors was collected using a modified Nordic questionnaire and upper limb Core QX checklist from 196 workers of a gold mine. WRMSDs were defined as pain or injury(ies) or discomfort, numbness or limitation of movement in the musculoskeletal system at any time in the past 12 months which lasted at least 24 h. These had to be either induced or aggravated by work and circumstances of its performance. A generalised linear model of the Poison family with link log and robust error variances was used to generate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the factors associated with WRMSDs. The effect of individual, ergonomic and psychosocial factors on WRMSDs were investigated while controlling for known confounders. RESULTS: Most workers were males 187 (95.4%) and their age ranged between 23 and 60 years with mean of 36.3 years. Of the 196 workers, 49 (25.0%) reported having at least one WRMSD during the previous 12 months. WRMSDs with highest occurrence rate were the lower back pain (14.8%), followed by thighs/hip pain (9.2%) and shoulder pain (8.2%). Prolonged heavy lifting/shovelling shovelling (PR = 1.69, 95% CI [1.32, 3.24] and longer work shifts (> 9 h) (PR = 3.56, 95% CI [1.76, 16.58]) were predictive for WRMSDs while jobs with low demands were protective against WRMSDs (PR = 0.18, 95% CI [0.08, 0.44]). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of WRMSDs is high and associated with prolonged heavy lifting/shovelling, longer work shifts and job demands. We recommend lowering workload and job demands and improving work ergonomics to mitigate and prevent the ...