The Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr. Madeleine TCHUINTE, convened a meeting with research assistants on October 28, 2026, in the MINRESI conference room to discuss their access to doctoral programs and the progression of their scientific careers.
The primary objective was to raise awareness about the necessity of obtaining a PhD in order to advance smoothly within the academic and research hierarchy. On this occasion, she thanked the Head of State for various measures enacted to support researchers, including the special status granted in 2023.
She also expressed her gratitude to the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education who, following multiple appeals by MINRESI, allocated 55 spots across the 11 state universities for non-PhD researchers to enroll in doctoral programs for the 2026–2027 academic year.
To support research assistants in these administrative and academic steps, the Minister instructed the heads of research institutes to designate a focal point responsible for monitoring these staff members. Furthermore, institute heads must submit individual progress reports outlining each researcher’s qualifications, the status of their current work, and any challenges encountered. She also urged leadership to facilitate mentoring for doctoral candidates and ensure that dissertation topics directly align with the national development priorities outlined in the SND30 framework.
This requirement for career progression comes alongside a strong call for scientific integrity. The Minister explicitly rejected plagiarism, data manipulation, and vanity publications, emphasizing that a doctoral degree must demonstrate a true capacity to conduct original research and defend one’s findings. Her core message to the research assistants underscored a shared responsibility that balances enhanced institutional support with dedicated personal commitment. “MINRESI will stand by your side. We will pay close attention to your work, demand high quality, and remain united in this effort,” she stated.
This initiative underscores Cameroon’s commitment to strengthening its national scientific capacity by raising the qualifications of its research workforce.
By combining structured institutional support, university access, and strict adherence to academic integrity, the Ministry aims to foster high-impact research aligned with national strategic goals. Research assistants are thus equipped with a clear roadmap to attain their PhDs and drive the nation’s scientific innovation forward.
