University of Ghana Nutrition Research and Training Center
QES II
McGill University-University of Ghana-Université Joseph KI-Zerbo QES program
Netlinks: An Anglophone-Francophone network linking scholars and non-academic change agents to enhance health equity and sustainable inclusive growth in rural West Africa
The Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) program has funded the Netlinks project, which brings together a network of Canadian and West African researchers, staff of non-academic institutions, and businesses who work to enhance health equity and sustainable inclusive growth in rural communities. Building on two decades of collaboration between McGill University (McGill) and the University of Ghana (UG), Netlinks expands on the influence of the UG Nutrition Research and Training Centre (NRTC) as an institution of excellence in training and developing networks of interdisciplinary scholars and practitioners for sustainable development. By partnering with the Université Joseph KI-Zerbo (UJKZ) Burkina Faso, Netlinks expands collaborative research and opportunities for evidence-based policy and practice across Anglophone and Francophone contexts in the West African sub-region.
The project aims are to:
These objectives will be addressed by supporting a network of exceptional scholars from diverse disciplines (e.g., nutrition, agriculture extension, business, gender studies, and education). McGill, the UG, and the UJKZ, in collaboration with community and non-academic organizations (research placement partners), will provide training and research opportunities for this cohort of scholars.
Scholars will undertake research in two areas of focus:
By the end of the project, Netlinks, through diverse training, community engagement, and RPP experiences will have expanded university/non-academic networks and will have provided opportunities to address current challenges in society. By sharing innovations in research and community extension, our scholars will strengthen the capacities of the staff in their institutions. By training interdisciplinary cross-cultural cohorts, the NRTC will enhance its ability to be a regional research-to-practice and training hub and expands opportunties for scholars to participate in research in rural West Africa in the future. Netlinks is funded through the QES Advanced Scholars – West Africa program. The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) is managed through a unique partnership of Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF), and Canadian universities. The QES-AS-West Africa is made possible with financial support from IDRC.
The project aims are to:
- Increase the number of Canadian and West African scholars undertaking specialized training in leadership, professional, and research skills;
- Increase meaningful engagement among current and previous Canadian and West African scholars;
- Increase scholars’ opportunities for engagement and research with non-academic partners (industry and community organizations;
- Strengthen the capacity of West African academic partners and non-academic organizations to address their priorities.
These objectives will be addressed by supporting a network of exceptional scholars from diverse disciplines (e.g., nutrition, agriculture extension, business, gender studies, and education). McGill, the UG, and the UJKZ, in collaboration with community and non-academic organizations (research placement partners), will provide training and research opportunities for this cohort of scholars.
Scholars will undertake research in two areas of focus:
- Health equity
- Sustainable inclusive growth
By the end of the project, Netlinks, through diverse training, community engagement, and RPP experiences will have expanded university/non-academic networks and will have provided opportunities to address current challenges in society. By sharing innovations in research and community extension, our scholars will strengthen the capacities of the staff in their institutions. By training interdisciplinary cross-cultural cohorts, the NRTC will enhance its ability to be a regional research-to-practice and training hub and expands opportunties for scholars to participate in research in rural West Africa in the future. Netlinks is funded through the QES Advanced Scholars – West Africa program. The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) is managed through a unique partnership of Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF), and Canadian universities. The QES-AS-West Africa is made possible with financial support from IDRC.
