The NUFU programme 2007-2011

Objectives
The following objectives and focus areas are central in the new programme period:

• To contribute to the development of institutions in the South
• To produce knowledge in areas deemed relevant to goals and objectives at institutional and national level
• To educate new researchers
• To develop Master’s and Ph.D. programmes in the South
• To promote gender equity in research and academic cooperation
• To establish sustainable environments for research and research-based teaching
• To contribute to the enhancement of quality and relevance in research
• To establish regional academic networks within relevant discipline areas
• To present academic publications and research results
• To contribute to internationalisation of institutions in the South and in Norway

Network cooperation
The NUFU-programme 2007 – 2011 has a strong focus on stimulating regional network cooperation in the South. NUFU support networks that contribute to increased academic collaboration between institutions in the South and between institutions in the South and in the North.

Relevance
Historically, the NUFU programme has been based on independent research cooperation within scientific disciplines prioritised by the partner institutions, with an emphasis on the priorities made by the South institutions. In the fourth phase of the NUFU programme there is an increased requirement to document the relevance of the proposed projects.

The projects are supposed to be in accordance with institutional strategies and priorities in the partner institutions and relevant to national strategies for development and poverty reduction in the country/countries in the South.

Synergy
All NUFU partners have a responsibility to seek synergies with other programmes, in particular with other Norwegian partners and programmes, such as the Research Council of Norway, Norad's programme for master studies (NOMA), the Quota scheme, and Norwegian bilateral development cooperation in the respective country. Coordination and synergy should also be emphasised in relation to other international players in the field of higher education and research.

Gender
The fourth phase of the NUFU programme will have a renewed focus on gender mainstreaming. NUFU will stimulate participants to increase the number of female researchers taking part in the programme. Gender balance among participants in the NUFU projects should be pursued. This applies in particular to Masters-students and
Ph.D.-candidates. Women recruited for Masters programmes should be encouraged to continue on to Ph.D.-level. The NUFU-programme supports several projects with gender related research topics.