As part of its aim of building a critical mass of competent economic and social researchers, IPAR from 10-12th August 2010 conducted a three-day training on using qualitative method approaches to collect data including; participatory rapid appraisal, focus group discussion, structured interviews, observation and agenda interviews.

The training benefited IPAR researchers and research related staff from a number of partner institutions (development partner and government institutions), including the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ministry of Labour, and the World Bank.

Using a case study of an ongoing research: “Raising productivity and Reducing Risks of Household Enterprises (HEs)”, participants were equipped with practical knowledge about conducting empirical research. The IPAR researchers attending the training as well as some of the external participants will carryout the fieldwork later in the year.

A couple of months ago, the World Bank commissioned IPAR to conduct this research to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics, constraints and potential of HEs in order to facilitate policy making and recommend interventions that support (their) development.

At the onset, IPAR conducted a diagnosis of the existing literature and initiatives in place to provide an account of “what we already know and need to know”. A diagnostic report has been completed and validated by stakeholders.

Going forward, over the next months IPAR researchers will be out in the field talking to operators of HEs so as to come up with a final report articulating new findings about HEs and strategic recommendations to policy makers. It will be available shortly on this website.

Overall, preliminary findings indicate, globally, that HEs are very important in fighting poverty, creating employment and also contribute substantially to economic growth. Yet they are bogged down by challenges like low levels of education and lack of skills, low demand for their products and services and limited access to small financing.

The collaborative took place at Top Tower Hotel, on 3 June 2010, with the purpose of building a robust partnership with HEIs, to achieve the creation of a critical mass of researchers in Rwanda, for sustainable development and poverty eradication.
The meeting was opened by the Minister of Education, he expressed the importance of the meeting, and observed the role of research in making Rwanda contribute significantly to the global development arena, but most importantly to support the Government of Rwanda in achieving the development vision under the EDPRS targets, he challenged HELs heads to catch this opportunity with zeal, and commended the founding members especially IPAR for working to achieve social and economical development in Rwanda.
The IPAR Executive Director in her presentation informed the audience on the objective of the meeting, and gave a detailed account of the EPRN, called on the participants to freely share the views aiming at building partnership towards research development in Rwanda working together as one.
PROCEEDINGS
After the introduction of all participants, the Agenda of the meeting was discussed and adopted with amendments. Participants raised their concern on various issues, from assessment of the partnership to viability, but all were upbeat on the initiative and expressed readiness to work within the network to influence its achievements.  
CROSS CUTTING ISSUES
The participants highlighted very important issues that may act as barriers for HEIs involving in active research
·    Private sector involvement in research and the process of development.
·    Giving a great attention to research in the development agenda
·    How policy research can contribute to setting new standards, and influence policy on all levels
The session adopted to break in working groups to effectively undertake the task on the agenda, the opted chairperson divided participants in three groups to further elaborate on