SUN Networks

Hi Charulatha,

Kenya has an academia and research network. The network has a: terms of reference, secretariat, steering committee and an annual workplan - all of which facilitate its architecture. More details, including the contacts of the network's conveners may be obtained from their website: http://academiaresearchnetwork.co.ke

Dear Charulatha,
From west Africa perspective, and based on countries I have direct relationship with, there is an academic SUN network in Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo. Mali and Senegal are in the process on establishing one each. For the parliamentary network it exists in Chad, Burkina Faso and Senegal.

Dear Charulatha,
In West Africa, Ghana also has a vibrant SUN academic platform. You can find professional and contact information for their Coordinator, Amos Laar, here: http://www.ug.edu.gh/pfrh/staff/dr-amos-laar

I will reach out to colleagues to identify academic networks in your region.

Dear Charulatha,

SUN Academia and Research Network Pakistan (SUNAR,Pak) was established in Pakistan on May 30. Currently, we have 45 members from all over country.

General council has selected 18 members EC comprising members from all federating units and different thematic areas have been formed while a 5 member’s oversight committee is also supporting the EC to ensure that network performs its function as per SUN Movement Principles and national laws/policies.
Here is brief description of SUNAR activities :

1. Capacity Building
On the basis of Training Need Assessment, Secretariat has planned 5 training workshops f young researchers on qualitative & quantitative research methodologies and scientific writing. Resource persons for trainings have been identified while trainings are planned in August and Sep.

2. Innovative Research Grants
A call for proposals will be advertised in the month of April to seek applications for research grants to young scholars/researchers from SUNAR member organizations. Innovative research grants will be awarded to 4 successful applicants.

3. Collaboration with Australian Universities
SUNAR,Pak will invite Australian Universities/ Research Institutions to explore collaboration opportunities in the field of nutrition research and teaching. In this regard, an EOIs will be invited in month of Oct 2017.

4. Annual Research Conference
Annual Research conference will be organized in month of Dec to disseminate findings of research conducted by SUNAR,Pak members. Research studies will also be archived on a web portal to allow access to policy makers and researchers.

Regards,
Danish

Chad joined the SUN movement in 2013. Since then, Chad has implemented almost all the SUN networks, including the scientific network for SUN. This network is quite dynamic and has brought together several actors and scientific institutions in the field of food and nutrition security in Chad.
The network of scientists for the SUN movement in Chad was initiated following the establishment of the multi-stakeholder platform in 2014. The scientists who were working in dispersed groups were asked to take part in the development of the National nutrition policy. After the validation of the national nutrition policy, scientists were also asked to organize the first national nutrition forum in Chad. The organizing committee of this forum, composed of several actors in the field of nutrition, was later set up as a network of scientists for SUN in Chad.
The scientific network thus established has drawn up an action plan to organize and plan its activities. The action plan includes:
- Food technology
- Nutrition and health
- Food safety
The network of scientists for the SUN movement in Chad therefore intends to contribute to ensuring food and nutritional security through research on foods with high nutritional values, nutritional surveys, support for the management of malnutrition, Food and nutritional diseases, etc.
As scientists are members of the multisectoral platform, regular meetings of the platform ensure coordination and alignment of scientists' objectives with the overall objectives of the government.

The setting up of the network of scientists for SUN has made it possible to better organize and coordinate research on nutrition not only between the researchers themselves but also between researchers and other actors in nutrition.
The network of scientists has faced several difficulties since its creation, including funding difficulties, notably for the operation of the network, which is currently operating on a voluntary basis, but also to finance research, exchange visits, Information days and scientific conferences. The State has indeed created a fund for research funding through the national centre for support to development research. However, this fund is not specific to nutrition but is intended to promote the training of young researchers in various fields of development.

Bangladesh does have Academic network though not very much vibrant. Academic network in Bangladesh has been hosted by Institute of Nutrition and Food Science (INFS), Dhaka University which is an autonomous organization.