Table 2 Overarching themes for gaps and strategies identified

Gaps

Strategies

1. Lack of commitment by different stakeholders to provide funding for research

2. Poor research focus in undergraduate and post-graduate education curriculum

3. Inadequate mentorship and training in research for early stage faculty

4. Inadequate infrastructure for research

5. Lack of collaboration/partnership within and between academic institutions, and between academic institutions and programme implementers

6. Research–policy dissonance

7. Lack of interest and motivation for research

8. Lack of leadership buy-in for research

1. Increased provision of funding for research by stakeholders, e.g. government

2. Increased research component in educational curriculum

3. Improved mentorship and training in research by senior faculty to junior faculty

4. Increased investment in infrastructure for research in higher education institutions

5. Creation of an enabling environment for collaboration within and between academic institutions and between academic institutions and programme implementers

6. Greater engagement between researchers and policy-makers

7. Greater commitment by institutional leadership for research