• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

THR VE TRAINING HEALTH RESEARCHERS INTO VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN EAST AFRICA NewsVol. 2 Issue 4 Sep. 2013 My one year experience Cambridge University Strengthens on an online Masters Links With African Institutions Program in Research Administration By Pauline Essah While in Uganda, the Cambridge By Harriet Nambooze group also took the opportunity t was great to be able to meet to link up with other research had for a long time desired to and interact with THRiVE units there. We visited THRiVE pursue postgraduate training researchers (both Africa- and partner UVRI to meet with Doctors in research administration IUK-based) and fellows face- Pontiano Kaleebu and Alison Elliot and management but such to-face during the 2013 AGM (plus a wide range of UVRI and Iopportunities had been very in Uganda. The University of MRC Uganda researchers from the rare. It was therefore a moment Cambridge was represented MRC Unit in Entebbe whom we by six delegates (Dr Jennifer unfortunately do not have enough of excitement when I received Barnes- Pro-Vice Chancellor for space to list here). We were very my admission into the two year International Strategy; Professor grateful for the warm reception we University of Central Florida (UCF) David Dunne- Director of the received there, and the opportunity Online Masters in Research Cambridge-Africa Programme; to discuss Cambridge’s current Administration (MRA). Little did I Professors James Wood and programmes (e.g. MUII and know what lay ahead of me I have Andrew Lever, Dr Pauline Essah THRiVE) and future engagements worked hard to keep up with the and Miss Jenny Mackay- all with UVRI and the MRC Unit. The reading, submit my assignments members of the Cambridge-Africa Cambridge delegation was given on time, while continuing with Committee). All delegates were a tour of the impressive facilities my day job and perform the daily excited to attend and contribute to at the Institute, and their clinics administrative functions, keep the various sessions, while also nearby. Professor Lever (who is a up with my hobbies as well as reinforcing Cambridge University’s Professor of Infectious Diseases) commitment to engaging with also gave a presentation titled maintaining contact with my family and friends. I must proudly say that African researchers. Ü page 2 I have been able to score highly on most fronts though this has come at the expense of few others. The MRA has taught me to manage my time, set priorities and appreciate the environment in which I live. Ü page 3 IN THIS ISSUE THRiVE 2013 Annual General Pg.3 Meeting a Resounding Success Hypertension Risk Factors in Kibera Pg.4 Community prevention of Pg.5 postpartum hemorrhage Post-Doctoral Training Support Pg.7 Investigating Prevalence and Patient Pg.7 The Cambridge delegation visit Uganda Virus Research Institute Perspective of Schistosomiasis uvri Uganda Virus Research Institute Ü page 1 Editorial Cambridge University Dear Reader, THRiVE is well Strengthens Links With positioned to become major contributor in African Institutions enhancing research capacity in Africa with ‘HIV assembly and genomic during our visit (see photograph the view to impacting RNA encapsidation’ and had below). health improvements one-to-one discussions with in the region. THRiVE must take cognisance of major developments that provide the context for its future plans. The year 2015 is around the corner. We are in the race against time to achieve the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) and Africa is the region showing the least progress towards the achievement of the MDGs. The UN Secretary- General’s High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the post-2015 Development Agenda released its report on May 30, 2013. The Panel recommended that the “unfinished business of the MDGS cannot be swept aside and that the goals set 13 years ago are ripe for renewal and remodelling” to focus on sustainable development. In the same month of May the The Cambridge delegation visit Uganda Virus Research Institute Commission on the Future of Health in Africa some of the local HIV/AIDS had its first meeting in Accra Ghana. For four We are all back in the UK researchers during this visit. years now the Wellcome Trust has been funding now, and looking forward to a major research capacity building effort named hosting more THRiVE fellows the African Institutions Initiative (AII). In July this The Cambridge delegation in Cambridge over the next year the Trust announced its intent to provide a listening to a presentation by few months. In the time one year cost extension to the current five year Dr. Pontiano Kaleebu of UVRI being, we are very pleased to grants while the longer term plan and funding for The Cambridge team be supporting 16 academic the AII is being carefully decided upon. was also able to visit the research fellows and four All the above developments provide opportunity Infectious Disease Institute to critically reflect on the future direction for research management fellows and the Maternal Unit at THRiVE and its role in the new era of regional from Uganda (Makerere Mulago Hospital (thanks and global health development. What is our University) and Ghana to organisational support comparative advantage compared to the other (University of Ghana, Legon) to from our MUII colleagues research capacity building initiatives in the visit Cambridge for six months in Uganda). We were region? How do we through partnerships create each, between July 2013 synergies to add value to the above efforts? introduced to the Heads of and June 2014, sponsored There should be very porous boundaries these research/clinical units, by the CAPREx Programme. between networks in order to allow free sharing and were very privileged Two academic fellows from of ideas, innovations and creative experiences. to meet several of their Ghana have already arrived One of the urgent issues is how do we build exceptionally hard working in Cambridge to begin capacity for knowledge translation so that we and inspiring staff. We hope can maximally utilise the existing knowledge collaborating with Cambridge to maintain links long-term. An and bridge the know-do-gap? Initiatives like researchers and commencing unforgettable highlight for the THRiVE provide opportunity for Africans to their tailor-made training Cambridge team, though, was provide leadership in addressing global health programmes. We are expecting when we were presented with challenges that are of priority importance to more by December 2013! unexpected ‘Makerere’ gifts 10 the region. Finally, we have recently by the acting Deputy-Vice prepared (and are soon to Chancellor Professor Joseph launch) a new Cambridge- YT Mugisha (on behalf of Africa website (http://www. our CAPREx partners - a cambridge-africa.cam.ac.uk) Membership of the THRiVE Advisory Board new Programme which which incorporates all of the evolved out of the THRiVE 1. Prof. Wilfred Mbacham, Chair, Rest of Africa University of Cambridge’s Programme in Cambridge links with Africa, including 2. Prof. Hannah Akuffo, Outside Africa and is funded by the Carnegie the THRiVE Programme. We 3. Dr. JPR Ochieng’Odero, Other Consortia Corporation of New York will be publicizing our range 4. Prof. Jerome Kabakyenga, Uganda and the Isaac Newton Trust). of on-going Cambridge- 5. Prof. Florent Senyana, Rwanda The three Cambridge men Africa activities (and hence 6. Dr. Val Snewin, Wellcome Trust were very honoured to be the THRiVE Programme) 7. Prof. Dominic Makawiti, Kenya given Makerere University on this new website, across 8. Dr. Hassan Mshinda, Tanzania ties, which they proudly wore 9. Prof. Nelson K. Sewankambo, Director, THRiVE Cambridge and beyond….. 10. Dr. Saidi Kapiga, Deputy Director 2 Ü page 1 My one year experience on an online Masters Program in THRiVE 2013 Research Administration Annual General Meeting: . The funder did not delay in agreeing to the request from THRiVE for a ‘No-objection’ to a Resounding Success sponsor me for this course. a little more he 2013 THRiVE Annual General complicated for me. Meeting (AGM) was an absolute However, one year blast. Over 100 delegates traveled into the programme to Makerere University from Uganda, has taught me that TRwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, United no matter how full th your plate is, with Kingdom and Sweden. This was the 5 proper planning and anniversary of the THRiVE (Training Health focus, you can still Researchers into vocational Excellency) take on a little more. initiative, and the second AGM to be hosted by Makerere University. Opening the three day The MRA enables meeting, the Chancellor of Makerere University Harriet during one of her class sessions me to interact with – Professor George Mondo Kagonyera called strong network on researchers to prioritize research and An online program is doable of research administrators if one has easy access to tackle issues that are of great importance to who are ready to help out population needs. The opening ceremony was tuition fees, fast and efficient whenever i am are faced with instructors, peer-to-peer a problem. It provides one also attended by the University Secretary –Mr. support, fast and reliable with knowledge, skills, abilities David Kahundha Muhwezi. internet connectivity and and other characteristics that access to textbooks. The allow one to be in position to first three items came in a handle most of the delicate nicely knit package which did issues related to research not require any intervention. administration in the 21st The UCF instructors are century right from the pre- highly experienced in award stage to the post- handling online students, and award stage. As part of the are always available to offer requirements of the program help to whoever needs it.. students are required to post an assignment and also The courses offered in provide positive feedback to the program have all the any two classmates’ posts ingredients on which peer- each week.

Load more

  20

Copy Link