Making connections and innovative ideas accessible is the key strategy of Research and Development Network (RDN). The meeting held on 25th November 2016 between Resource Mobilization and Management Centre (ROMME) and RDN at RDN office - C&G Plaza- Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam initiated strong linkage between the two organizations. The discussion was based on linkage between ROMME and RDN.
Mr. Heri Marco - Chief Research and Innovation Coordinator for RDN discussed about the capacity of RDN which is established to build radically thinking connections between Research, innovation and real-world experience, making innovative ideas accessible and usable. The company engages network of researchers, innovators, practitioners, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and all professionals / experts to rethink how research and innovation can be delivered to provide solutions and increase productivity and prosperity. RDN’s overall objective is to be a think tank platform for research and innovation in Tanzania, Africa and Worldwide. Mr. Heri Marco further introduced four major services offered by RDN which includes; Collaborative Innovative Consultancy, Research Consultancy, Capacity Development training programs and Online service (www.rdnplatform.com).
According to Mr. Agape Ishabakaki- Researcher from RDN, Online Service(www.rdnplatform.com) is well positioned as an engine for other RDN services and partners. Its mission is to connect experts/professionals, investors, entrepreneurs and enterprises to make innovative ideas accessible and usable. RDN believes that great success can be achieved through proper connections.
Mr. Ruta G. Mutakyahwa- CEO of ROMME, introduced the Organization and its activities. ROMME is established as a private researching, consulting and training firm based in Dar es Salaam. It is a nonprofit-oriented organization. It is intended to provide expert and technical services to Non Profit Organizations and other public and private institutions. ROMME Centre focuses on capacity building and skills transfer in the areas of mobilization and management of resources.
Mr. Marco explained that, by using RDN Platform (www.rdnlatform.com) ROMME can leverage its expertise and reach more people. He further explained that according to the World Internet Statistics - Miniwatts Marketing June, 2016 shows that 50% of the world population are using internet with average growth rate of 905.6% from 2000-2016. In the context of Africa, the continent is one of the fastest growing regions in terms of internet usage with average growth of 7, 448.8% from 2000 - 2016. It counts for 9.4% of the total population of internet users with 28.7% penetration rate. Therefore, with the high pace of growth, RDN Platform positions itself as an accelerator and connector of internet usage in Tanzania, East Africa, Africa at large and Worldwide. By using RDN platform, ROMME has a great chance to increase its productivity, since it will be easy to establish connections and work with different experts/ professionals/organizations/investors/experts.
In addition, based on Mr. Mutakyahwa professional expertise, Mr. Agape of RDN explained that RDN will increase the level of reach of that expertise to ensure it reaches more people and help the society as a whole. He further explained that Mr. Mutakyahwa's long experience since 1984 has played a significant role in helping organizations, CSOs and the Private Sector on issues related to capacity building and skills transfer in the areas of mobilization and management of resources.
To expedite their expertise, the two organizations agreed to partner on different programs in the future.
