Over 40 participants have convened at the School of Health Sciences, Makerere University to take part in the Kampala-Uganda DAAD Alumni Event training on Good Health Research Practices (GHRP). The participants include teaching staff from Bioethics, social sciences, environment, food science, animal science, pharmacy, philosophy, ICT, public health, library science, and members of the School’s- Research and Ethics Committee (REC).

The four day hands-on training; running from 18th to 21st February 2019, is funded by DAAD (the German Academic Exchange Service) and organized by the School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University in partnership with Heidelberg University and World Health Organization /TDR.  

Conducted in several countries worldwide, the GHRP by WHO /TDR aims at promoting ethical considerations among students, teaching staff and other researchers. It is a requirement to participate in this training before conducting fieldwork to ensure good ethical practices and understanding of the human and animal protection of rights as study objects.

Opening the workshop on Monday, 18th February 2019, the Chief Guest – Mr. Steven Heimlich, the in-Country DAAD office representative expounded the international role the German Academic Exchange Service. He highlighted funding opportunities under DAAD including the provision of scholarships to pursue Masters, PhD studies and Post Doctorates at Makerere University and in other partner Universities. Mr. Heimlich appealed to the audience to tap into the wide range of DAAD opportunities such as funding for research and development work, three to six months fellowships, funding for conference travel as well as the DAAD Annual Alumni Event.

Reflecting on the long and valued partnership between Makerere University and DAAD, the Acting Dean School of Health Sciences, Prof. Charles Rwenyonyi Mugisha emphasized the need to maintain the German-Ugandan connections and hoped this would continue for generations to come.
Welcoming the participants, the Chairperson of the School of Health Sciences Institutional Review Board (IRB), Dr. Paul Kutyabami applauded DAAD for significantly contributing to the internationalization agenda of Makerere University as well as funding research and capacity building programmes.

During the Opening Ceremony, the participants listened to an informative presentation titled, “The role of WHO/TDR in organising Courses on Bio-Ethics.”The presentation was delivered by two Guest Professors namely Dr. Pauline Grys and Jamila Nabieva from Heidelberg University, who are respected for holding regular summer GHRP courses in Germany.

In an exclusive interview with Ms Ritah Namisango of Mak Public Relations Office, Dr. Juliet Kiguli-a Member of REC commended DAAD for funding the GHRP training and prioritizing the participation of women.“Majority of the participants are DAAD funded scholars and alumni from Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and other countries in the region. It is gender-inclusive because DAAD would like to see more women grow in academia and research,” remarked Dr. Kiguli.

Some of the members of faculty who attended the Opening Ceremony include:  Prof.  Charles Rwenyonyi Mugisha, Dr. Pakoyo Kamba-Head of the Department of Pharmacy, Dr. Paul Kutyabami, Dr. Juliet Kiguli, Dr. Alfred Wasike, Dr. John Barugahare, Dr. Khalid Rajab, Dr. Fred Kitutu, Ms. Stellah Imot and Ms. Evelyne Katusiime.

For more information on available opportunities, please visit the DAAD office at Makerere University-Lincoln House, Flat B7; the DAAD office in Nairobi, and the DAAD website www.daad.de

Article by: Mak Public Relations Office