The IREX University Administration Support Program (UASP) Fellowship in research management develops higher education research management capacity among university faculty/staff throughout Africa and Eurasia. This program brings 32 university research managers to the United States for training and a four-week placement at a partnering US host institution, where they are offered in-depth opportunities to observe and compare US research management systems and share best practices. Fellows return home equipped with progressive management techniques, US relationships, and a practical plan to implement reform as they seek to build their universities into leading research institutions. UASP Fellows are usually research managers and faculty who are making strides to grow or improve their university’s research program and hold a position of influence to recommend and implement changes upon return.
In 2019, IPO in partnership with the African Studies Program and Research and Sponsored Programs hosted two UASP Fellows—Rector Olha Porkuian (Volodymyr Dahl East Ukraine National University, Ukraine) and Associate Professor Samuel Tefera Alemu (Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia).