Increasing the Visibility of Researchers in the International Academic Community: An Analysis of Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic, Geidam Lecturers

Abstract

This study assesses the level of researcher visibility among lecturers at Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic, Geidam, within the international academic community. Employing a survey methodology with 70 lecturers, the research investigates the current state of visibility, identifies influencing factors, analyzes challenges, and proposes enhancement strategies. Findings reveal that despite a majority of lecturers having recent publications, their overall global visibility is very low. Key barriers identified include a lack of research funding, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to scholarly databases, and insufficient mentorship. While institutional support was acknowledged, challenges such as a lack of recognition and incentives for publication were significant. The study concludes by recommending actionable strategies, including establishing international research partnerships, providing targeted training on writing for international journals, creating dedicated research funds, promoting the use of research management systems, and implementing a system to recognize and reward research contributions. These measures are crucial for increasing the global academic presence of the institution's researchers.