KAMPALA—Researchers in African Universities have been urged to cultivate a Responsive Culture, create, maintain, and strengthen collaborations, and uphold Research Ethics. In the CARTA programme, Participants explore the requirements for successful research in African universities, including researcher training based on global best practices. They also define and address knowledge management as the process of generating and sharing information; demonstrate the positive linkages between quality research and sustainable development in Africa.
Dr. John Bosco Isunju, the CARTA Focal Person, and iCARTA Project lead at Makerere University, highlighted the Workshop’s Goal of fostering a responsive culture among Universities and Research Institutions Staff. By examining the efficiency of governance structures and processes that support research and graduate training in African Universities and Research Institutions. The CARTA programme seeks to create an environment conducive to the success of early-career and seasoned researchers.
The CARTA APAS Workshop was conducted in 3 days for all Participants; and an additional 2 days for the Training of Trainers (ToTs), from August 12th to 16th August 2024, at Makerere University, School of Public Health – ResilientAfrica Network (MakSPH-RAN), Plot 28, Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala, Uganda. At the end of the training, Participants were awarded Certificates and urged to cascade the knowledge and skills acquired in their respective institutions.
She noted that over the past five years, MakSPH has collaborated with partners across 25 African countries, indicating a vast network of research partnerships. Dr. Wanyenze also expressed hope that Participants will leave the training with new partnerships and networks, further emphasizing the goal of fostering collaboration among attendees.
“Partnership is very important and I hope as we are here, we will be networking so that at the end of the APAS training, as we leave we will maintain the partnerships and continue to forge networks with researchers we haven’t worked with before. That will hopefully be one of the outcomes of us working together during this APAS Training,” said Professor Wanyenze.
Over the years, Makerere University has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with APHRC. According to Dr. Wanyenze, there is a need to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder productivity and collaboration in African Universities and Research Institutions needed to improve the university research ecosystem, with a key focus on students.
She further noted that; “Students are critical in the research ecosystem. They are smart; they have ideas, especially when we give them space and when they know that their views matter. We need to create an environment where students can communicate freely what they think works without feeling shy and thinking that you’re going to throw it back at them, and make them feel uncomfortable in our Universities.”
Dr. Anne Nangulu, a Professor of Economic History and Principal of Bomet University College (a Constituent College of Moi University) who is also the Focal Point for CARTA at Moi University, believes it is vital for university officials to be proactive and plan ahead of time to execute their academic and research related duties and responsibilities. Prof. Nangulu, re-echoed Prof. Wanyenze, encouraged faculty to delegate some of their duties to students; early career academic and administrative staff as part of mentorship especially at postgraduate level.
Dr. Anne Nangulu, a Professor of Economic History and the Focal Point for CARTA at Moi University speaks during the CARTA’s APAS training at Makerere University.
Prof. Nangulu further noted that; “We might be a little selfish when funds arrive in small amounts. You want to accomplish everything such as data collecting, analysis and dissemination. Think about collaborative research by incorporating early career staff as well. Also, please update your resume today, keep it online, and keep it current. It is part of leadership in promoting institutional and individual visibility in the global space.”
Dr. Joseph Gichuru Wang’ombe, a career development expert and Deputy Executive Director at APHRC, emphasized the need for greater participation in high-quality research and urged participants to actively develop research capacity.
“If you believe in something and put it into your mind and heart, it can be realized. The research and good quality research have to be done by more and more people, and that means that we are building capacity and enabling many others to do research.”
In addition, he stated that workshops emphasize the value of a supportive network of research administrators, clear distinctions between functionaries, the need for funding, mainly from African governments, and technology transfer for the continent.
Dr. Joseph Gichuru Wang’ombe, Deputy Executive Director at APHRC -Nairobi speaks to participants of the APAS training in Kampala.
“To appreciate that it is more than simply the research; it is also about what happens in the library. It is what happens in the Registrar’s and bursar’s offices. We are very happy to see people from many sections of our universities come together. One of the most amazing things we have noticed with CARTA APAS programme is that personnel in Universities as well as research institutions can come from the same institution and not know each other. They meet for the first time but the silos are broken when they return, you’ll notice they’ve discovered new collaboration methods,” said Dr. Gichuru.
Dr. Akinyinka Omigbodun, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Ibadan, believes that; Everyone in the university research ecosystem is essential and that institutions must try to use the multi-disciplinarity and expertise of their human resources to build better research environments.
He further emphasized that; “Let us all work as a group. If you observe soccer players, they are part of a team, but they also work in groups. You have the attackers, midfielders, and the defense. You will find that even defenders score goals. The attackers go back to defend when the team is under pressure. Thus, we all must learn to appreciate and do work as teams as well as groups; that way, we can achieve more in African Universities and Research Institutions.”
Dr. Akinyinka Omigbodun, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Ibadan.
Started in 2007/2008, CARTA, a Consortium of eight African Partner Universities, four Research Institutions, and Eight non-African Partner Institutions has been led jointly by the African Population and Health Center, Kenya, and the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
Every year, CARTA facilitates APAS Workshops to strengthen the capacity of institutional functionaries. The iCARTA Project at Makerere University (a NORHED II grant from NORAD), and the Global Science for Africa Foundation (SFA) through CARTA funded the Workshop. This programme seeks to inspire Participants to improve commitment to institutional systems and drive transformation to attain world-class research in African Universities and affiliated research institutions.
In sum, CARTA works as a collaborative arrangement to support sustainable development of a vibrant African Academy able to lead world-class multidisciplinary research that positively impacts public and population health.
The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) is excited to announce four (4) PhD Fellowship positions within the prestigious Sewankambo Global Health Security Fellowship Program. This 3-year fellowship aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders in Global Health Security (GHS) across Africa. IDI is a renowned Centre of excellence in infectious disease research, training, and patient care in Africa. Through our fellowship program, we are committed to fostering scientific excellence and leadership in global health security.
Who Are We Looking For?
We seek candidates with a background in clinical, numerical, or biological sciences who are passionate about advancing global health security. Ideal candidates will leverage IDI’s rich resources, including datasets, mentorship, internet access, and state-of-the-art facilities, to engage in practical training and internships. The PhD fellows will be expected to develop PhD proposals with a focus on any one of the following 7 specialized program areas:
Antimicrobial Resistance: Addressing the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance through innovative research and strategies.
Laboratory, Biosafety, and Biosecurity: Enhancing laboratory capacity and implementing robust biosafety and biosecurity measures.
Epidemic Intelligence and Surveillance: Strengthening early detection and response systems for infectious disease outbreaks.
Case Management, Infection Prevention, and Control: Improving clinical management and infection prevention strategies to reduce disease transmission.
Vaccination and Medical Countermeasures: Advancing vaccine development and deployment strategies to combat infectious diseases.
Planetary Health and WASH: Integrating health with environmental stewardship and promoting Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives.
Health Policy, Advocacy, and Economics: Influencing policy decisions and advocating for sustainable health solutions through economic analysis.
Academic Qualification
Masters in Medicine, public health, veterinary, biological, or numerical background
Ability to leverage existing data (quantitative and qualitative) to answer research questions related to their PhD topic
At least two first-author publications
Candidate Eligibility
Minimum qualifications: Applicants should have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Medicine, public health, veterinary, biological, or numerical background with at least an upper second. Candidates should have their undergraduate and master’s training from a chattered University.
Demonstrated interest in Global Health Security or mathematical modelling.
A viable and innovative research concept in any of the above-mentioned areas.
Ability to leverage existing data (quantitative and qualitative) to answer research questions related to their PhD topic.
Ready to commit as a full-time PhD student.
Application Requirements:
Certified copies of relevant academic documents.
Reference letters from two academic referees. The letter should speak to the candidate’s academic maturity, academic ability, intellectual potential, creativity and originality, scientific writing skills, and interpersonal skills.
Motivation Statement (up to 1000 words)
Research Concept (no more than 2 pages, excluding references)
Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing education, work experience, conference presentations, and publications. Candidates are requested to include in their CV links their previous scientific documents authored, including manuscripts, reports, or grant awards.
Makerere University College of Health Sciences-MAKCHS- Centre of Excellence in Women’s Health in collaboration with Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University (MU-JHU) Care Limited received funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Enabling Platforms for Maternal Immunization: Uganda (ENABLING Project). The Project aims to identify, characterize, and support the delivery platform, policy, and preparedness requirements for introducing new maternal vaccines. The Project seeks to recruit suitable candidates for the following positions;
Social Scientist, Team Lead (01)
Social Scientist Research Associate (03)
Duty Station: Kampala
Engagement: Full Time
All applications must be submitted to the email: enablingproject71@gmail.com before Monday,29th July 2024 at 23:59hrs EAT
The Centre for Bioethics under Makerere University Biomedical Research Centre (MakBRC) is delighted to announce the MAKERERE BIOETHICS CONFERENCE (MakBC 2024), scheduled to take place on 11th and 12th November 2024 at Hotel Africana, Kampala, Uganda. This year’s theme is ‘Contemporary Issues in Bioethics Practice,‘ and we invite researchers, practitioners, and students to submit their abstracts for presentation.
For more information contact Conference Secretariat:
Department of Anatomy, Last Floor, School of Biomedical Sciences Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O Box 7072 Kampala, Uganda. Email: makbioethicsconference@gmail.com Website: https://chs.mak.ac.ug/makbc2024 Tel: +256 782 363 996 or +256 772 246 681