The Chair of the panel discussion, Mr Dennis Sinyolo, introduced the panellists, Professor Michael Kelly, Ms Aida Joaquim Munhequete, teacher trainer from the National Teachers Organisation of Mozambique, Ms Helena Awurasa and Mr Richard Bourne. The Chair stressed the importance of the topic, stating that while the generation of research data was all very well, its purpose was to improve policy formulation and implementation. There were many instances in which the best research had been allowed to gather dust and agreed policies had not been implemented. Panellists were invited to give their views on ways in which research could be used to improve strategies for the development of education policy and programme implementation guided by those policies.