Career development for infection and immunity research in Uganda: a decade of experience from the Makerere University – Uganda Virus Research Institute research and training programme [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
Background: The Makerere University/Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) Centre of Excellence for Infection & Immunity Research and Training (MUII) is a collaborative programme supporting excellence in Infection and Immunity (I&I) research in Uganda. Set up in 2008, MUII aims to produce in...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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F1000 Research Ltd
2020-08-01
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| Series: | AAS Open Research |
| Online Access: | https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-26/v2 |
| _version_ | 1797723329711308800 |
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| author | Damalie Nakanjako Flavia Zalwango Pamela Wairagala Fiona Luboga Irene Andia Biraro Victoria Diana Bukirwa Mary Gorrethy Mboowa Steve Cose Janet Seeley Alison Elliott |
| author_facet | Damalie Nakanjako Flavia Zalwango Pamela Wairagala Fiona Luboga Irene Andia Biraro Victoria Diana Bukirwa Mary Gorrethy Mboowa Steve Cose Janet Seeley Alison Elliott |
| author_sort | Damalie Nakanjako |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The Makerere University/Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) Centre of Excellence for Infection & Immunity Research and Training (MUII) is a collaborative programme supporting excellence in Infection and Immunity (I&I) research in Uganda. Set up in 2008, MUII aims to produce internationally competitive Ugandan and East African I&I research leaders, and develop human and infrastructural resources to support research and training excellence. We undertook an internal evaluation of MUII’s achievements, challenges and lessons learned between 08-2008 and 12-2019, to inform programmes seeking to build Africa’s health research expertise. Methods: Quantitative data were abstracted from programme annual reports. Qualitative data were obtained in 03-04/2019: a cross-sectional evaluation was undertaken among a purposefully selected representative sample of 27 trainees and two programme staff. Qualitative data was analysed according to pre-determined themes of achievements, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations for improvement. Results: By 12-2019, MUII had supported 68 fellowships at master’s-level and above (50% female: 23 Masters, 27 PhD, 15 post-doctoral, three group-leaders) and over 1,000 internships. Fellows reported career advancement, mentorship by experts, and improved research skills and outputs. Fellows have published over 300 papers, secured grants worth over £20m, established over 40 international collaborations, and taken on research and academic leadership positions in the country. Key lessons were: i) Efficient administration provides a conducive environment for high quality research; ii) Institutions need supportive policies for procurement, including provisions for purchases of specific biological research reagents from international manufacturers; iii) Strong international and multi-disciplinary collaboration provides a critical mass of expertise to mentor researchers in development; and iv) Mentorship catalyses young scientists to progress from graduate trainees to productive academic researchers, relevant to society’s most pressing health challenges. Conclusions: Sustainable academic productivity can be achieved through efficient operational support, global collaboration and mentorship to provide solutions to Africa’s health challenges. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T10:00:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-541e79499b5944b59ac6c5eb7dbcdcc3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2515-9321 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T10:00:13Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | F1000 Research Ltd |
| record_format | Article |
| series | AAS Open Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-541e79499b5944b59ac6c5eb7dbcdcc32023-09-02T11:42:43ZengF1000 Research LtdAAS Open Research2515-93212020-08-01310.12688/aasopenres.13066.214224Career development for infection and immunity research in Uganda: a decade of experience from the Makerere University – Uganda Virus Research Institute research and training programme [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]Damalie Nakanjako0Flavia Zalwango1Pamela Wairagala2Fiona Luboga3Irene Andia Biraro4Victoria Diana Bukirwa5Mary Gorrethy Mboowa6Steve Cose7Janet Seeley8Alison Elliott9Makerere University-Uganda Virus Research Institute Infection and Immunity (MUII), Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, UgandaMedical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit,, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, UgandaMedical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit,, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, UgandaMakerere University-Uganda Virus Research Institute Infection and Immunity (MUII), Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, UgandaMakerere University-Uganda Virus Research Institute Infection and Immunity (MUII), Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, UgandaMakerere University-Uganda Virus Research Institute Infection and Immunity (MUII), Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, UgandaMakerere University-Uganda Virus Research Institute Infection and Immunity (MUII), Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, UgandaMakerere University-Uganda Virus Research Institute Infection and Immunity (MUII), Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, UgandaMedical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit,, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, UgandaMakerere University-Uganda Virus Research Institute Infection and Immunity (MUII), Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, UgandaBackground: The Makerere University/Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) Centre of Excellence for Infection & Immunity Research and Training (MUII) is a collaborative programme supporting excellence in Infection and Immunity (I&I) research in Uganda. Set up in 2008, MUII aims to produce internationally competitive Ugandan and East African I&I research leaders, and develop human and infrastructural resources to support research and training excellence. We undertook an internal evaluation of MUII’s achievements, challenges and lessons learned between 08-2008 and 12-2019, to inform programmes seeking to build Africa’s health research expertise. Methods: Quantitative data were abstracted from programme annual reports. Qualitative data were obtained in 03-04/2019: a cross-sectional evaluation was undertaken among a purposefully selected representative sample of 27 trainees and two programme staff. Qualitative data was analysed according to pre-determined themes of achievements, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations for improvement. Results: By 12-2019, MUII had supported 68 fellowships at master’s-level and above (50% female: 23 Masters, 27 PhD, 15 post-doctoral, three group-leaders) and over 1,000 internships. Fellows reported career advancement, mentorship by experts, and improved research skills and outputs. Fellows have published over 300 papers, secured grants worth over £20m, established over 40 international collaborations, and taken on research and academic leadership positions in the country. Key lessons were: i) Efficient administration provides a conducive environment for high quality research; ii) Institutions need supportive policies for procurement, including provisions for purchases of specific biological research reagents from international manufacturers; iii) Strong international and multi-disciplinary collaboration provides a critical mass of expertise to mentor researchers in development; and iv) Mentorship catalyses young scientists to progress from graduate trainees to productive academic researchers, relevant to society’s most pressing health challenges. Conclusions: Sustainable academic productivity can be achieved through efficient operational support, global collaboration and mentorship to provide solutions to Africa’s health challenges.https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-26/v2 |
| spellingShingle | Damalie Nakanjako Flavia Zalwango Pamela Wairagala Fiona Luboga Irene Andia Biraro Victoria Diana Bukirwa Mary Gorrethy Mboowa Steve Cose Janet Seeley Alison Elliott Career development for infection and immunity research in Uganda: a decade of experience from the Makerere University – Uganda Virus Research Institute research and training programme [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] AAS Open Research |
| title | Career development for infection and immunity research in Uganda: a decade of experience from the Makerere University – Uganda Virus Research Institute research and training programme [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full | Career development for infection and immunity research in Uganda: a decade of experience from the Makerere University – Uganda Virus Research Institute research and training programme [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_fullStr | Career development for infection and immunity research in Uganda: a decade of experience from the Makerere University – Uganda Virus Research Institute research and training programme [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full_unstemmed | Career development for infection and immunity research in Uganda: a decade of experience from the Makerere University – Uganda Virus Research Institute research and training programme [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_short | Career development for infection and immunity research in Uganda: a decade of experience from the Makerere University – Uganda Virus Research Institute research and training programme [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_sort | career development for infection and immunity research in uganda a decade of experience from the makerere university uganda virus research institute research and training programme version 2 peer review 2 approved |
| url | https://aasopenresearch.org/articles/3-26/v2 |
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