The Directorate of Research and Innovation (DRI) is responsible for initiating, developing, implementing and managing institutional research projects, research networking and research capacity-building programmes.

The Directorate seeks to enhance UNIDEL’s research productivity, national and international visibility, webometric performance, developmental relevance and impact on society.

• Develop fundable research and innovation proposals and secure research and innovation grants, funding, technical and material support from national and international bodies and agencies.
• Develop research and innovation partnerships and cooperation with national and international bodies, groups and agencies.
• Facilitate research networking and mentorship through professional networks, academic platforms and research consortia.
• Support the growth and performance of UNIDEL’s monodisciplinary and multidisciplinary research cluster groups.
• Identify research capacity-building opportunities, including conferences, symposia, workshops and seminars, to strengthen staff research skills and productivity.
• Promote scientific writing and publishing by academic staff in peer-reviewed local and international journals.
• Coordinate the design, planning and execution of research and innovation fairs and exhibitions as required by the University.
• Develop and update UNIDEL’s website-hosted digital repository of academic and research publications, including journal papers, conference proceedings, thematic books of readings and monographs.
• Mobilise resources, grants and support from funders, donors, partners, collaborators and stakeholders for research and innovation initiatives, programmes and projects.