Scientific Research: Going Beyond Results!

Cameroonian researchers are at the forefront of groundbreaking research in the fields of medicine, renewable energy, agriculture, and emerging diseases, amongst others. The government has not only provided appreciable research infrastructure and showed a particular interest in scientific and technical research, but has also tailored policy to encourage research across the board. The institutional support as well as research allowances accorded Cameroonian researchers have paved the way for groundbreaking research results in the country. These research results are showcased every year in different exhibitions organized by different stakeholders including the government. The Excellence Week for Scientific Research and Innovation known by its French acronym as JERSIC is one of such platforms that brings together researchers from both the public and private sectors to showcase their know-how and also to share experiences and build partnerships. Such gatherings equally provide the rare opportunities for researchers to discuss on how to advance the sector as well as transforming research results into concrete and tangible solutions to the daily problems of Cameroonians. But of what use are these research results? how are these research activities impacting lives of ordinary Cameroonians? These are million-dollar questions ordinary Cameroonian denizens are asking given the much material and human resources invested into the research. In effects research results in medicine, food and nutrition, technology, renewable energy etc, should improve the wellbeing of citizens in one way or the other. In order words, research should provide solutions to societal problems. In opening the 2025 edition of JERSIC, the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr Madeleine Tchuinte spoke of government’s determination to push for advancement of research and the valorisation of research results. Indeed, the research results should not only end in laboratories and drawers of cupboards in our offices but rather be put into the practical life of Cameroonians. Dr Tchuinte noted that “JERSIC 2025 marks a new step towards the materialisation of our common dream; where laboratories and business work in synergy, where discoveries are transformed into jobs, where products made in Cameroon fill our markets and are proudly exported, finally a Cameroon where scientific research becomes the driving force of an irreversible structural transformation of the economy.” Yet, these well-thought speeches are ephemeral and are often forgotten as soon as they are delivered with little or no effect on the subject matter. Cameroonians are expecting to see concrete transformation of research results in diverse fields especially medicine where drugs are produced to solve health issues or agriculture where solutions are provided to improve agricultural production and Cameroon’s food security etc. Despite having a resourceful pool of researchers, rich endowment in natural resources and its outstanding agricultural potentials, Cameroon still remains a major importer of goods and products that could be produced locally like essential drugs. Yet, the country boasts of an institute of medical and medicinal plants research which has hundreds of research results in its laboratories. Transforming these research results into tangible products remains a daunting task thus casting aspersions on the raison d'être of carrying out research in the first place. It is high time the country’s researc...