Advancing Early Childhood Development Research at Unicaf University

Unicaf University in Zambia celebrates a significant milestone in Early Childhood Development (ECD) research. Dr Daniel Mpolomoka, Dean of the School of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, was honoured with an invitation to participate in the first Grant Proposal Writing Workshop for Africa-based researchers. This notable event took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from June 24 to June 28, 2024.

Hosted by Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) and the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre at the University of Cambridge, and funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the workshop aimed to equip ECD researchers with essential grant proposal writing skills. The ECD project focuses on understanding the ecosystem of ECD researchers and their needs in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda (with desk-based research for Mozambique). The African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) facilitated the event, which also provided valuable opportunities for networking and potential collaboration. 

Dr Mpolomoka’s selection for this workshop underscores Unicaf University’s commitment to advancing research capabilities and academic excellence. As part of this initiative, participants, including Dr Mpolomoka, were tasked with drafting a grant proposal by the workshop’s conclusion, in collaboration with their parenting institutions. This effort is poised to contribute significantly to the academic and research growth in the field of early childhood development both within Zambia and across the African continent.

The workshop was a transformative experience, providing not just advanced skills in grant writing but also fostering a network of ECD researchers dedicated to improving early childhood education and development across Africa.

The workshop’s focus on grant proposal writing is expected to have lasting impacts, enabling researchers like Dr Mpolomoka to explore vital funding for ECD projects. This aligns with Unicaf University’s broader purpose to support impactful research that addresses the unique challenges faced by early childhood education in Zambia and beyond.