Foresight Institute of Research and Translation (FIRAT) is a private research institution established in 2018 to drive the transformation of lives on the continent through research, innovation, and training and to ensure the use of research findings for the development of communities. It has a Head office in Nigeria and the branch office in Rwanda.

Operation: FIRAT has research and training divisions that house interconnected disciplines with the intent to optimize cross-talking and sharing, problem-solving, and evolving novel strategies to scale up the development of the people and their community. It partners with institutions (government and non-government) organizations that have a strong inclination for capacity building, research, and innovations for development agendas.

Web presence:  www.firat.com.ng    and www.firat.rw

FIRAT in Rwanda

As the first step into its internationalization agenda and execution of the Pan Africa characteristics of FIRAT aspirations, the management, in 2022, decided to establish a Country office in Rwanda.  The choice of Rwanda was informed by a lot of notable progress it has made in the community of African nations and the government’s commitment to the development of its people. FIRAT management desires, in the conduct of its business, to make landmark contributions to such efforts and support the government on its Agenda 2050 socio-economic transformation of the country.

The Organization in Rwanda:  Vision, Mission, and Objectives

Vision:

To lead private sector research institutions and initiatives contributing to development in Rwanda by 2028

Mission:

We contribute to the national socioeconomic transformation agenda by using best practices and innovative strategies to promote research and translation, develop capacities, and support creativity in key sectors accelerating Rwanda and Africa’s development.

Objectives

1. To promote research and translation of research findings for development in Rwanda.
2. To develop a critical productive capacity to support facilities for growing and accelerating key sector programs.
3. To engage students, scientists, technology experts, and relevant stakeholders in creative research and productivity.
4. To deploy innovative strategies in support of food security, healthcare and technology use adoption.
5. To promote and produce made in Rwanda products for the export economy.
6. To offer professional and consultancy services that promote research, learning, and translation.
7. To establish collaborations and networks with relevant government agencies and organizations sharing similar aspirations and goals.

Some Activities:

1. Capacity Building Project
2. Capacity for Education and Development (CapED) Initiative

This Initiative offers services that help students find higher institution admission, support processing, and comfortable study environments and facilities for a successful learning experience.

1. Group of Experts (GoE)

This concept was developed to fill the gaps in the education and production industries in Rwanda. The institute is building up a pool of experts that contributes to existing capacities and infrastructure gaps for a productive economy and high-level operations in various sectors in Rwanda.

1. Curriculum Development for Education Program in Need Area

The institute, amongst its consultancy services, created a window for curriculum development.  The most recent was our involvement in developing a curriculum in Vaccinology with the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization, and Health Supply Chain Management (RCE-VIHSCM).

1. Research Promotion Activities
2. Future of Medicine, Science, Technology and Innovation Group (FoMSTIG)

Future of Medicine, Science, Technology, and Innovation Group (FoMSTIG) is a multidisciplinary research, translation, and learning initiative of the Institute which started in Nigeria in 2021. It is to build strong research capacity and leadership in various universities and contribute to national development. A branch exists at the University of Rwanda.

1. Student Research Group (SRG)Rwanda

FIRAT Students Research Group is a platform for students in higher institutions in Africa, both undergraduates and postgraduates, to build research capacity in the next generation scientist and conduct impactful research for development. The activities of the group will contribute to empowering students with research skills for lifelong learning, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, creative, and innovative capabilities and enhance their participation in achieving SDGs and the development of their country.

1. Innovation Science and Technology for Action and Learning in Africa (INSTAL-Africa)

Leveraging Drosophila melanogaster model and Infrastructure for research capacity enhancement in Rwanda, FIRAT and its technical partner, DrosAfrica-UK, formed a consortium (INSTAL-Africa) involving  the National Council for Science and Technology, Rwanda (NCST), Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA), The University of Rwanda (UR), and the Rwanda Food and Drug Authority (FDA). The aim is to harness the potential of the Drosophila insect fly model and research infrastructure for fundamental and biomedical research capacity enhancement.

1. Collaboration Activities

FIRAT is in collaboration with the University of Rwanda, the African Institute of Public Health Professionals (AIPHP) to organize the 5th International Public Health conference held at Nobleza hotel, Kigali, Rwanda. The institute is working on collaboration with other institutions be it government, non-government and private institutions for social economic transformation of Rwanda and to achieve the African we want Agenda 2063 through various projects.

1. Consultancy services

The Institute also offers consultancy services on workshop and training on research capacity development, undergraduates and postgraduates’ research support programme and other services.