CARTA's new Training Manager - Dr. Daniel Ochiel

June 9, 2014, 5:58 am

≫ Next: CARTA's 5th Faculty and Administrators' Staff Workshop, Makerere University Kampala

≪ Previous: Cohort 5 Selection process commences

Dr. Daniel Ochiel

The CARTA Program has a new Training Manager. Dr. Daniel Ochiel who holds a PhD from Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, USA; a Master of Science from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School Of Public HealtH; and another Master of Science from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, is the newest CARTA staff. Dr Ochiel completed his Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, focusing on the Molecular Biology of HIV-1.

Before joining CARTA, Daniel coordinated a multi-institutional PhD training program in nutritional sciences in East Africa. He brings to APHRC and CARTA a rare wealth of experience in project management; training development and delivery; community development; and grant writing. Daniel is also well-published. The CARTA fraternity cordially welcomes Dr. Ochiel on board.

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CARTA's 5th Faculty and Administrators' Staff Workshop, Makerere University Kampala

July 20, 2014, 1:53 am

≫ Next: Dr Esimai Olapeju Adefunke - Joins the CARTA Office at OAU

≪ Previous: CARTA's new Training Manager - Dr. Daniel Ochiel

Makerere University Administration Block

Makerere University, will host over 100 delegates from CARTA Partner institutions for a three-day workshop from July 21 - 23, 2014 in Kampala Uganda. This is the fifth such training where participants are drawn from faculty members who recently acquired their PhDs, Librarians, Information and Technology staff, public relations officers, and finance personnel among others.

CARTA aims at strengthening research management capacity at African universities, by taking participants through a process of learning, experience sharing of best practices in order to be able to effectively support CARTA doctoral training offered through a model collaborative PhD program in population and public health.

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Dr Esimai Olapeju Adefunke - Joins the CARTA Office at OAU

July 20, 2014, 1:56 am

≫ Next: Dr. Jane Kengeya-Kayondo of the Wellcome Trust, Joins the Faculty and Administrators' Workshop

≪ Previous: CARTA's 5th Faculty and Administrators' Staff Workshop, Makerere University Kampala

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has an additional person as CARTA focal person. Dr Esimai Olapeju Adefunke an Associate Professor /Consultant in department of Community Health joins Prof. Antony Aluko Mabayoje in the running of CARTA affairs at OAU. Dr. Esimai has a master’s degree in Environmental control and management from OAU and a master’s degree in bioethics from University of Ibadan. Additionally, Dr. Esimai is a fellow of Public Health in the National Post Graduate College of Physicians and West African College of Physicians and was awarded a graduate diploma degree in Early Childhood Development by the Virtual University of Victoria , Canada and certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation.

At OAU, Dr. Esimai is a lecturer in the Departments of Community Health, Medical Rehabilitation and Nursing focusing on Reproductive Health, Epidemiology, Nutrition and Environmental Health. She is the current coordinator of the Master of Public Health program and her research interests are in the area of Reproductive Health, Nutrition and Environmental Health. Previously, Dr. Esimai worked as a Consultant to agencies like WHO, USAID , UNICEF, The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA). In all these agencies, she greatly contributed to knowledge in the areas of Epidemiology, International and Environmental Health.

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Dr. Jane Kengeya-Kayondo of the Wellcome Trust, Joins the Faculty and Administrators' Workshop

July 23, 2014, 2:14 am

≫ Next: Prof. Kimani Murugaru, new Focal Person, University of Nairobi

≪ Previous: Dr Esimai Olapeju Adefunke - Joins the CARTA Office at OAU

Dr. Jane Kengeya-Kayondo (standing) interacts with participants at the CARTA FAS Workshop, Makerere University, July 23, 2014

Dr. Jane Kengeya-Kayondo, the Wellcome Trust, Special Adviser for Africa joined the Faculty and Administrators' group in Makerere on July 23. 2014. Dr. Kengeya-Kayondo interacted with the participants before addressing them on the continued support Wellcome Trust has been extending to CARTA since inception. She also shared with the participants, the new opportunities the Trust has in place for the next funding cycle period. She noted that she is an alumnus of Makerere University .

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Prof. Kimani Murugaru, new Focal Person, University of Nairobi

July 23, 2014, 2:18 am

≫ Next: University of Malawi appoints Dr. Kamija Phiri, as a co-focal person

≪ Previous: Dr. Jane Kengeya-Kayondo of the Wellcome Trust, Joins the Faculty and Administrators' Workshop

The University of Nairobi, Population Studies and Research Institute (PSRI) has a new Director. Prof. Murungaru Kimani replaced the long serving Director of PSRI Prof. Lawrence Ikamari who will now concentrate on research and teaching at the University. The new Director of PSRI, Prof. Murugaru holds a BSc. In Mathematics and Statistics; a MSc in Population Studies; and a PhD. in Population Studies and will be the new focal person at the University of Nairobi.

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University of Malawi appoints Dr. Kamija Phiri, as a co-focal person

July 30, 2014, 12:01 am

≫ Next: JAS3 Cohort 2 Commences in Ibadan, Nigeria

≪ Previous: Prof. Kimani Murugaru, new Focal Person, University of Nairobi

The University of Malawi (UNIMA) appointed Dr Kamija Phiri, Associate Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, and currently the Dean of Public Health and Family Medicine and former Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Research as a CARTA co-focal person. Dr Phiri replaces Dr. Wilson Mandala, who has assumed the Associate Directorship Position at the Malawi-Liverpool-Welcome Trust Research Program at the UNIMA College of Medicine. Dr. Phiri is an accomplished researcher and a recipient of the Third Annual (2012) Merle A. Sande Health Leadership Award awarded by the Accordia Global Health Foundation.

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JAS3 Cohort 2 Commences in Ibadan, Nigeria

August 4, 2014, 9:24 pm

≫ Next: Call for Applications - CARTA PhD Fellowships 2015/2016

≪ Previous: University of Malawi appoints Dr. Kamija Phiri, as a co-focal person

The Joint Advanced Seminar-3 (JAS-3) for Cohort 2 of CARTA Fellows has commenced at the University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, Nigeria on Monday August 4, 2014 as scheduled. The JAS , which will take place over four weeks is billed to end on August 28, 2014.

The Vice Chancellor (5th from the Right) and his entourage with the Facilitators and CARTA Fellows

Addressing the 19 Fellows in the cohort that are attending the JAS from the CARTA partner institutions and the facilitators at the seminar, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole expressed his delight that this JAS was taking place in Ibadan. He reiterated that UI identifies strongly with the goals of CARTA and his administration was ready to contribute all it can to ensure the success of CARTA activities and programs. He welcomed all the participants to Ibadan and assured them that UI was committed to ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the period of their stay in Nigeria.

Professor Sharon Fonn responding to the Vice-Chancellor; CARTA Fellows paying attention

Responding, Co-Director of CARTA, Professor Sharon Fonn, thanked the Vice Chancellor for coming to address the participants at the commencement of the JAS. She expressed her satisfaction that this JAS is taking place within the campus of a partner institution of CARTA and emphasized the determination of CARTA to ensure that its activities are held in the facilities available in its partner institutions. This will encourage the upgrading of these facilities and also increase awareness of CARTA and its programs in the partner institutions. She recalled that CARTA earlier held a training workshop for faculty and administrators from partner institutions on the campus of Makerere University (a CARTA Partner) in July 2014. She expressed the hope that UI will continue to contribute to the growth of CARTA and the achievement of its goals.

From Left: Professor Adewole (VC), Professor Aiyelari (DVC-Administration), Professor Olayinka (DVC-Academic), Mr Olukoya (Registrar), Mr Aponmade (Bursar) and Professor Salako (Provost, College of Medicine), University of Ibadan.

The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied to the event by a large entourage of top university officials, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor A.E. Aiyelari, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor A.I. Olayinka, the Registrar, Mr O. Olukoya, the Bursar, Mr I.O. Aponmade and the Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor B.L. Salako. Also present at the occasion were the Deans of the four faculties in the College of Medicine, Professor O.G. Ademowo (Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences), Professor A.O. Malomo (Faculty of Clinical Sciences), Professor A.J. Ajuwon (Faculty of Public Health) and Professor J.T. Arotiba (Faculty of Dentistry). The Dean of Students, Professor A.R. Alada and a host of other university officials were also present.

The Vice Chancellor with CARTA officials after unveiling the commemorative plaque

Earlier, while welcoming the Vice Chancellor and his entourage to the venue, the CARTA Focal Person for UI and the Chairman of the CARTA Board of Management, Professor Akinyinka Omigbodun introduced the facilitators for the seminar, including the Dr Chima Izugbara (APHRC), Professor Bo Eriksson (Nordic School of Public Health), Dr Tony Onwuegbuzie (Texas, USA), Dr. Ann Mwangi (Moi University), Professor Uche Isiugo-Abanihe (UI), Professor E.A. Bamgboye (UI), Professor O,M, Oluwatosin (UI) and Dr Roseangela Nwuba (UI).

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac F. Adewole declaring the hostel block open

Thereafter, the Vice Chancellor, the facilitators and the participants proceeded to the new postgraduate hostel building in Alexander Brown Hall, where the CARTA Fellows participating in JAS-3 were being accommodated, to formally commission the building for use. The hostel block was renovated with infrastructure funds provided by CARTA, with counterpart funding from UI.

The Postgraduate Hostel Block, Alexander Brown Hall, University of Ibadan

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Call for Applications - CARTA PhD Fellowships 2015/2016

June 30, 2015, 9:18 pm

≫ Next: Uganda Christian University visits APHRC Campus

≪ Previous: JAS3 Cohort 2 Commences in Ibadan, Nigeria

The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) is an initiative of nine African universities, four African research institutes, and select northern partners. CARTA offers an innovative model for doctoral training in sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen the capacity of participating institutions to conduct and lead internationally-competitive research.

The multi-disciplinary CARTA program is open to staff of participating institutions who are interested in conducting their PhD research on topics relevant to the broad fields of public and population health. We welcomeapplications from disciplines, such as public health, demography, anthropology, communication, and economics, among others, as long as the research question aims to contribute to public and population health issues.

Over the medium-term, CARTA aims to produce a critical mass of high-quality graduates trained to address the complex issues surrounding health and development in Africa, retain them in the region, and provide them with a vibrant intellectual environment, as well as viable and challenging research and growth opportunities. CARTA aims to achieve reforms in higher education by:

Assisting universities to develop enriching and vibrant academic and research environments; and
Supporting promising African scholars who teach at affiliated universities to obtain high-quality doctoral training in public and population health-related fields.

CARTA is currently offering a collaborative doctoral training program in public and population health. This program has been developed in response to the great challenges faced by Africa’s institutions of higher education in addressing the training and retention of the next generation of academics in the region. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Specifically, CARTA seeks to fund candidates who will be future leaders in their institutions; that is, young, capable, and committed individuals who, in time, will ensure that their universities will be the institutions of choice for future generations of academics and university administrators wishing to make a positive impact on public and population health in Africa.

CARTA hosts a series of Joint Advanced Seminars (JAS) for cohorts of doctoral students admitted and registered in the participating African universities. Both the development and delivery of these courses are jointly-led by regional and international experts. The seminars consist of didactic sessions, discussions, demonstrations, and practice labs. These activities collectively serve to:

Expose students to key theories and concepts, seminal readings, and research methods of disciplines relevant to public and population health;
Train students in critical research skills; and
Build and maintain a network of researchers for scientific collaborations, professional support, and mutually beneficial exchange of scientific resources.

The advanced seminars are offered once annually for four years to each cohort and build skills and conceptual depth from year to year. Each JAS runs for 3 to 4 weeks. Specific topics covered in each JAS include the following:

JAS-1 builds critical thinking, technical skills, and other core research competencies, and introduce students to the essential concepts and seminal articles of the disciplines brought together under CARTA
JAS-2 focuses on data management and analysis. Fellows learn to use software packages for qualitative and quantitative data management and analyses. Practice sessions use real research data and current software packages for hands-on training
JAS-3 focuses on data presentation, the doctoral dissertation, and scientific writing and communication skills to facilitate results dissemination and policy engagement
JAS-4 addresses professional development including skills necessary to manage and teach large class sizes, raise and manage research funds, grant writing and research management. JAS-4 is also designed to serve as an opportunity for senior fellows to practice mentoring of junior fellows through discussions and laboratory sessions, software training, and general information sharing

During the 2015/2016 academic year, the CARTA program is planning to offer up to 25 PhD fellowships. Download Application forms here.

The Fellowship, which is tenable at one of the participating African universities, includes the cost of fellows’ participation in the advanced seminars; a modest monthly stipend; small grants for research activities; a laptop loaded with relevant software; funds for travel to conferences, as well as costs for participating in joint program activities.

The fellowship runs for a maximum of four years. Fellowships cover tuition fees, medical insurance, and other university fees in special circumstances only. Partner institutions have committed to continue paying Fellows’ salaries (or equivalent) and to modify workloads for the fellows to enable them to fully participate in CARTA organized activities pertaining to their PhD program and also to concentrate on their PhD studies. Fellows are encouraged to seek supplemental funding to cover additional costs of their doctoral program.

Participating African Universities

Makerere University, Uganda.
Moi University, Kenya.
University of Rwanda, Rwanda.
Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.
University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
University of Malawi, Malawi.
University of Nairobi, Kenya.
University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

Participating Research Institutes

African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Kenya.
Agincourt Health and Population Unit, South Africa.
Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), Tanzania
KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kenya.

Northern Partners

Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (CCGHR), University of Toronto, Canada.
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Switzerland.
University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
University of Umea, Sweden.
University of Warwick, UK.

Eligibility

A Masters degree in a relevant field.
Prior admission into a PhD program is not required for application but awards are contingent on such admission being obtained at one of the participating African universities.
Applicants for this program must be teaching or research staff at one of the participating African institutions and should be committed to contributing towards building capacity at their institutions.
Applicants’ PhD research proposal must be related to public and population health or to sexuality studies.
Fellowships are only open to people who have not yet registered for a PhD or are in the very early stages (first year) of the PhD program.
Applicants must commit to participation in all four annual residential Joint Advanced Seminars (JASes), and to engage in inter-seminar activities designed to keep fellows actively engaged and in continual communication with peers and mentors.
Male applicants must be under the age of 40 years and female applicants under the age 45 years.

Application Procedure

Contact the CARTA focal person) at your institution to discuss your interest and obtain application materials. Application forms may also be downloaded from the CARTA website (www.cartafrica.org)
Submit your application to the local CARTA committee in your institution (also email a copy of all application materials to carta@aphrc.org ), which will conduct the initial screening process and submit successful applications to the CARTA secretariat. The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2015.
If successful at the university selection level, the CARTA secretariat will inform and contact you to proceed to the next level
Successful applicants at the university selection level will be expected to:
Complete an online-based pre-JAS, Part I tasks
A competency course (October 1, 2015 – October 15, 2015)
Send a full application to the CARTA secretariat. The deadline for submission of the full application is October 15, 2015.
Final fellowship decision, which is independent of the university application, will be communicated by CARTA secretariat by December 1, 2015.

CARTA Focal Persons


A. University Focal Persons
1. Makerere University, Uganda	Prof. Anne Katahoire	Director, Child Health and Development Centre, Faculty of Medicine Makerere University P.O. Box 6717, Kampala, UGANDA Tel: +256 414 541684/530325 Email: annekatahoire@yahoo.co.uk
1. Makerere University, Uganda	Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi	Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training, Makerere University P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, UGANDA Tel: +256-414-530983 Cell: +256-774515366 Fax: +256-414-533809 Email: buyinza@rgt.mak.ac.ug; buyinza@forest.mak.ac.ug
2. Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria	Prof. Anthony Aluko Mabayoje	Department of Sociology & Anthropology Faculty of Social Sciences Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State, Ile-Ife NIGERIA Tel: +234 8 054 854 861 Email: niyialuko@oauife.edu.ng, maoaluko@yahoo.com
3. Moi University, Kenya	Prof. Anne Nangulu	Director, Quality Assurance Moi University P.O. Box 3900 30100 Eldoret, KENYA Tel: +254 53 43093 (office) Mobile: +254 733 870 502 Email: anangulu@yahoo.com; deanarts@mu.ac.ke
3. Moi University, Kenya	Dr. Diana Menya	Dept. of Epidemiology and Nutrition, School of Public Health, Moi University P.O. Box 4606, Eldoret, 30100, KENYA Tel: +254 720 352 579; +254 733 777 500 Email: dianamenya@gmail.com; dmenyasph@mu.ac.ke
4. University of Ibadan, Nigeria	Prof. Akinyinka Omigbodun	College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, NIGERIA Tel: + 234 803 323 0457 Email: omigbodun@yahoo.com; omigbodun@gmail.com
4. University of Ibadan, Nigeria	Prof. Uche Abanihe-Isiugo	Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, NIGERIA Tel: +234 803 713 5054 Email: ucheabanihe@yahoo.com; uche.abanihe@mail.ui.edu.ng
5. University of Rwanda	Pierre Claver Rutayisire	College of Business and Economics University of Rwanda Huye-campus BP 117, Butare, RWANDA Tel: ++250788864744 Email: p.c.rutayisire@ur.ac.rw ; rutayisirepc@gmail.com
6. University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania	Dr. Esther W. Dungumaro	Acting Director of International Relations University of Dar es Salaam P. O. Box 35091, Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA Tel: +255 757 753396 Email: edungumaro@udsm.ac.tz; dungumaro@gmail.com
6. University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania	Dr. Lucy Namkinga	Molecular Biology & Biotech Department University of Dar es Salaam P. O. Box 35091, Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA Email: odulajalucy@yahoo.com
7. University of Malawi	Dr. Kamija Phiri	College of Medicine University of Malawi Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, MALAWI +265 999957048 Email: kamijaphiri@gmail.com
7. University of Malawi	Prof. Adamson S. Muula	Department of Community Health, College of Medicine, University of Malawi Private Bag 360,Blantyre 3, MALAWI Tel: +265 884 233 486 Email: amuula@medcol.mw
8. University of the Witwatersrand	Dr. Jude Igumbor	Senior Lecturer, PhD program Wits School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA Tel: +27 72 791 59 27 Email: Jude.Igumbor@wits.ac.za ; judeigumbor@yahoo.co.uk
9. University of Nairobi	Prof. Kimani Murungaru	Director, Population Studies & Research Institute University of Nairobi P.O. Box 30197 Nairobi, KENYA Tel: +254 20 318262 Ext 28029 Email: murungaruk@uonbi.ac.ke
9. University of Nairobi	Dr. Dismas Ongore	Senior Lecturer University of Nairobi School of Public Health P.O. Box 30197 Nairobi, KENYA + 254 020 2724639 Email: dongore@uonbi.ac.ke
B. Research organizations
1. Ifakara Health and Development Research Centre, Tanzania	Dr. Honorati Masanja	Project Head Ifakara Health and Development Research Centre P.O. Box 53, Mlabani Passage, Ifakara, Tanzania. Tel: +255 232 625 164; +255 232 625 377, Mobile +255784605046 Email: hmasanja@ihi.or.tz
1. Ifakara Health and Development Research Centre, Tanzania	Dr. Rose Nathan	Ifakara Health and Development Research Centre P.O. Box 53, Mlabani Passage, Ifakara, Tanzania Email: rnathan@ihi.or.tz; rosenathan2001@yahoo.co.uk
2. African Population and Health Research Center	Dr. Chimaraoke Izugbara	Director, Research Capacity Strengthening Division African Population and Health Research Center P. O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254-20-2720400/1/2 Email: cizugbara@aphrc.org
3. Agincourt Health and Population Unit, South Africa.	Prof. Kathleen Kahn	Associate Professor Health and Population Division School of Public Health University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA Tel: +27 11 717 2606 Email: Kathleen.Kahn@wits.ac.za

Download Application Forms Here

Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA)

Housed at the African Population and Health Research Center

P. O. Box 10787-00100 Nairobi, Kenya

Landline: +254 (020) 400 1000, 266 2244, or 266 2255,

Cell: +254 722 205 933, 720 098 388, 733 410 102; Fax: +254 (020) 400 1101

Email: carta@aphrc.org ; Website: www.cartafrica.org

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Uganda Christian University visits APHRC Campus

July 8, 2015, 1:14 am

≫ Next: CARTA Partner Universities Top Global Research Citation Ranking

≪ Previous: Call for Applications - CARTA PhD Fellowships 2015/2016

A team of staff from Uganda Christian University led by Prof. Christopher Byaruhanga, Dean of School of Research and Postgraduate Studies, came for a tour of the African Population and Health Research Center.

This tour aimed at sharing what the University does and looking into possibilities of the university partnering with the Center to deliver training and research in line with the University’s mandate and the Canter’s areas of focus and expertise.

“APHRC has in the last 15 years generating research evidence on population and health issues. APHRC’s vision is to be a global center of excellence, consistently generating and delivering scientific evidence for policy and action on population, health, and education in Africa,” remarked Prof. Peter Ngure, CARTA Program Manager while sharing with the team about the CARTA program.

From left: Prof Peter Ngure (APHRC); Justus Musasiah (APHRC); Hamilton B. Mbokureeba (UCU); Dr. Uzziah Matte Kiriaghe (UCU); Prof. Christopher Byruhanga (UCU) and Dr. Peninah Masibo (APHRC)

Uganda Christian University had an opportunity to present to APHRC staff from the Research Capacity Strengthening what the University’s mandate is and what it is they do in research and postgraduate studies.

The University through its representation at the visit expressed their intention of hosting APHRC Trainings next year and possibly collaborating in gender based violence research.

According to the dean of School of Research and Postgraduate Studies at the University, Prof. Byaruhanga, APHRC cannot be applauded enough for initiating and facilitating cutting-edge doctoral and post-doctoral trainings including CARTA and ADDRF.

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CARTA Partner Universities Top Global Research Citation Ranking

July 9, 2015, 12:24 am

≫ Next: What’s driving young people to have transactional sex in Malawi’s slums

≪ Previous: Uganda Christian University visits APHRC Campus

Eight out of the nine universities participating in the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) program emerged amongst the top 100 list of the Journals Consortium's 2015 rankings, with six topping their country lists. The Journals Consotium (JC) ranking rates universities in the world according to the number of research publications and citations emerging from them. The rankings are based on data collected over a period of five years. The 2015 ranking rated the universities' outputs in the last five years (2010 to 2014) as well as their visibility on the internet.

Research output and publication citations are important matrix to any university as it is a testament to the institution’s contribution to academic world. Below is how the institutions were ranked

Institution	Position in Africa	Position in Country
University of Nairobi	4	1 (Kenya)
University of Witwatersrand	6	4 (South Africa)
University of Ibadan	8	1 (Nigeria)
Makerere University	12	1 (Uganda)
Obafemi Awololo University	24	5 (Nigeria)
University of Dar Es Salam	39	1 (Tanzania)
Moi University	47	3 (Kenya)
University of Malawi	61	1 (Malawi)
University of Rwanda	106	1 (Rwanda)

CARTA’s vision is to be the catalyst for the emergence of a vibrant African academy able to lead world-class multidisciplinary research that makes a positive impact on population and public health. To do this, the CARTA PhD training program has research publication as one of the critical output for the CARTA fellows.

During the fellowship period, the fellows are usually taken through rigorous writing process and this has yielded positive results. The fellows collectively have published over 210papers in peer reviewed high impact journals and continuously thrive to do their best.

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What’s driving young people to have transactional sex in Malawi’s slums

July 16, 2015, 10:19 pm

≫ Next: 4 CARTA Fellows awarded Post-doctoral Fellowships

≪ Previous: CARTA Partner Universities Top Global Research Citation Ranking

By Steve Mphatso Kamndaya, University of the Witwatersrand and Caroline Kabiru, the African Population and Health Research Center

Transactional sex, or the exchange of sex for money or other material goods, is one of the drivers behind the high risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies among young women living in urban slums of Malawi.

The drivers that push young men and women to engage in transactional sex have been widely studied. The findings suggest that as a result of the economic stress associated with earning low wages and widespread youth unemployment, young women are inclined to use sex to generate income for their basic needs.

Although these studies provide useful insights on transactional sex, relatively little is known about transactional sex from the perspective of young women and men living in urban slums.

Our study is one of the first to look at how young men and young women understand the structural factors that promote transactional sex among their peers. It explored how material deprivation and a desire for fashionable goods may lead to decisions to engage in transactional sex.

Malawi’s HIV landscape

Malawi is a low-income country, with 91% of its 16 million people living on less than US$2 per day. According to the most recent statistics, HIV prevalence peaked in 1999 at 16.4% and declined steadily to 10.6% in 2010. HIV prevalence was higher among females. Although there has not been any national representative survey since 2010 to estimate HIV prevalence, last year it was estimated that 1.1 million Malawians are living with HIV.

The national figure masks significant rural-urban differences. Urban prevalence, at 17.4%, is nearly double that of rural areas, which sits at 9%. One-fifth of the country’s population is classified as urban.

Urbanisation in Malawi is linked to concentrations of poverty – about 65% of the urban population live in urban slums. Young people living in these slums are considered an at-risk population for STIs, including HIV, and unintended pregnancy.

The study used data from five focus group discussions and 12 in-depth interviews undertaken with a total of 60 young men and young women between the ages of 18 and 23 years living in two urban slums of Blantyre, the country’s capital. The study was conducted over a six month period from December 2012 to May 2013.

Reasons for engaging in transactional sex

The young people’s narratives suggested that acute economic pressure, lack of housing, and food insecurity combined with a desire for fashion influenced their decisions to engage in transactional sex.

Describing how the lack of housing may influence young women to engage in transactional sex, a 22-year old young woman whom we will call Nasiyato said:

When a girl lacks housing and she wants to find a place to sleep, or she does not have rent, she is mostly found in a bar as she does not have a place to live. She will have sex with a guy [in order to have a roof over her head for the night] and then does the same thing the next day.

As narrated by Naje (not her real name), lack of housing was also perceived to motivate young men’s decisions to engage in transactional sex with older women.

Young men here sometimes sleep with older women, just because they want to stay [and sleep] at a decent place. Several young men get STIs in the process.

Food insecurity was another reason given for engaging in transactional sex. It gave them a “visa” for eating on that particular day.

Nagama, a 19-year-old mother of two children, explained that the need to alleviate her family’s health needs routinely resulted in her engaging in transactional sex.

It usually happens when my child is very sick and I have no means to go to (a private) clinic and there is no money. Something tells me: Why am I rejecting the men? After all my child will be better … When my mother or my child is sick you ask him to help. Just know that you will have sex. Otherwise, next time he will refuse to help you. And it goes on.

Although material deprivation was cited as an important reason for young people to engage in transactional sex, the young men and women also spoke of sex as a means to meet their aspirations and desires for fashionable goods.

Selina, a 20-year-old female who was unmarried said “everything was fashion nowadays”.

When I get a skin (skinny) jean, others want to have theirs as well and will accept any man for sex, be [he] older, to get money for a skin jean.

Young men also reported that they exploited young women’s desire for fashionable goods to lure them into having sex.

The implications

Our research demonstrates that material deprivation and consumerism may be important factors in the types of sexual relationships that young people have.

These findings suggest that a new generation of structural interventions addressing the unique needs of vulnerable groups of young people, particularly those in urban slums, should be considered to reduce sexual and reproductive health risks.

About the Authors

Steve Mphatso Kamndaya is a Cohort 1 CARTA fellow pursuing his PhD studies at the School of Public Health at University of the Witwatersrand

Caroline Kabiru is a Research Scientist at The African Population and Health Research Center

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4 CARTA Fellows awarded Post-doctoral Fellowships

July 22, 2015, 2:10 am

≫ Next: Second Cohort Hails Program’s Success

≪ Previous: What’s driving young people to have transactional sex in Malawi’s slums

4 CARTA Fellows awarded Post-doctoral Fellowships

The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) has awarded its first ever post-doctoral fellowships to CARTA fellows who have completed the PhD fellowship program. The awards announced yesterday saw four fellows awarded the fellowships competitively. CARTA aims at securing the future and fostering the career growth of its high-achieving graduates and thus the post-doctoral fellowships are a good way to ensure this is turned into a reality.

The post-doctoral fellowships will offer the awardees the opportunity to build specific skills, expand their networks, encounter research leadership and role models, receive strong mentoring and learn the demands of community and public engagement. The fellowships will run for a maximum of 12 months and are tenable at any African CARTA partner-institution or associated research institutes.

The fellows will undertake their post-doctoral fellowships at institutions they had identified and each has been assigned a mentor prior to this award who will work with them to help them build their skills.

The four CARTA fellows who were awarded the post-doctoral fellows are as follows:

Linda Alinane Nyondo

Linda Alinane Nyondo is a Cohort 2 CARTA fellow of the School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi. Nyondo will undertake her post- doctoral fellowship at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome (MLW) Trust Clinical Research Programme. She will be mentored and supervised by Dr. Anja Terlouw. “I am very excited with this award. Once again, I am thankful to CARTA for this opportunity to advance my career,” said an elated Nyondo when she received her award letter.

Sulaimon Adedokun

Sulaimon Adedokun is a Cohort 1 CARTA fellows who undertook his PhD studies at the Obafemi Awololo University in Nigeria. He will be undertaking his post-doctoral fellowship at University of Warwick, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom. Adedokun will be mentored and supervised by Dr. Olalekan A. Uthman, Assistant Professor in Research Systems at the Centre for Applied Health Research and Delivery (CAHRD) at the University of Warwick and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. “I wish to express my appreciation to CARTA for this great opportunity. I promise to make maximum use of this opportunity and keep the flag of CARTA flying,” remarked Adedokun upon receiving his award letter”.

Banjo Olufunmilayo

Banjo Olufunmilayo is a Cohort 3 CARTA fellow who did her PhD at the Obafemi Awololo University in Nigeria. She will be undertaking her post-doctoral fellowship at the Demography and Population Studies Programme, School of Social Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Banjo will be mentored and supervised by Professor Clifford Odimegwu from the same school. “I am sincerely grateful to CARTA for this rare opportunity and a platform to move on in the pursuit of my academic career. I promise to abide by the terms of the contract as much as I see God helping me. I am indeed very grateful,” said Banjo.

Joshua Akinyemi

Joshua Akinyemi is a Cohort 1 CARTA fellow who did his PhD studies at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He will undertake his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. As a Post-Doctoral Fellow, Akinyemi will be supervised by Professor Clifford Odimegwu of the Demography and Population Studies Programme, School of Social Sciences, University of Witwatersrand. “I am so humbled by the opportunity offered to me by CARTA. I will do my best to make judicious use of the opportunity,” remarked Akinyemi.

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Second Cohort Hails Program’s Success

July 22, 2015, 10:51 pm

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After four years of hard work, 19 fellows completed their journey in the CARTA program. The journey that began in 2012 officially came to an end and was celebrated in style by the fellows, facilitators and CARTA consortium partners. The Cohort 2 CARTA fellows expressed their appreciation of the program’s contribution to their career development. During a Town Hall meeting with the CARTA Director, Dr. Alex Ezeh and CARTA program staff, the fellows expressed their gratitude for the CARTA program and the people behind this great idea. This meeting marked the end of the fourth and last Joint Advanced Seminars (JAS) for the cohort 2 fellows who were in Nairobi.

Cohort 2 fellows with CARTA leadership at the end of JAS 4 in March 2015, Nairobi, Kenya.

To most of the fellows, the CARTA program has put them on the right track academically. They have had an opportunity to interact and be mentored by a number of academics drawn from across Africa and the Global North. The fellows have had,compared to other PhD students anywhere in Africa and even the world, an opportunity to spend more uninterrupted time with a number of facilitators via the JAS training model that is fully residential. Unlike many other PhD students in other universities in Africa, CARTA fellows unanimously agreed that they have been nurtured on critical areas needed to become research leaders in any areas of population and public health.

‘Publish or perish’ a common refrain in the research world is an issue of the past for CARTA fellows as each of them has published during their journey in CARTA. Some of the fellows never had an idea of how to go about publishing but CARTA has made this happen just within the four years of interaction. The fellows said that through CARTA they have published in peer reviewed journals and with other scholars as either leadauthors or co-authors.

Researchers also need to be able to attract grants in order to continue with their work.

For this cohort of CARTA fellows, they testified that the proposal writing training theyunderwent through CARTA has made a great impact in their lives. Most of them are now able to write winning proposals and have attracted grant from various donors either as Principal Investigators (PIs) of co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs). To the fellows, CARTA program is uniquely structured and has the interest of the African continent at heart.

Mwamtobe Peter Mpasho, University of Witwatersrand:“I am thefirst in my family to get a PhD and I would not have done so if it was not for the CARTA fellowship”.

Nyondo Alinane Linda, University of Malawi: “CARTA should not underestimate its contribution to research policy in Africa and its ability to develop research leaders for Africa”.

Fagbamigbe Adeniyi Francis, University of Ibadan:“I was selected for a post-doc position without an interview. This is due to my good profile which I have developed through the CARTA fellowship program”.

Longwe Herbert Hudson Thulasoni, University of Malawi: “Being a CARTA fellow can open many opportunities. In a recent interview for my current job, I was asked to define what CARTA is and I got the job”!

Wells Utembe, University of Witwatersrand: “I have moved from writing one conference paper to nine! That’s a huge improvement! I no longer hide my CV. And I owe it all to CARTA.”

Oluwatoba Olufunke Abiodun, University of Ibadan: “We are the output and outcome of your proposal. CARTA has given us an opportunity to know each other, network and even do joint research”.

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Being Single Puts You at Higher Risk of Brucellosis

July 22, 2015, 11:10 pm

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A study conducted by Gabriel Tumwine, a CARTA fellow at Makerere University in Uganda, has revealed that human brucellosis is a significant public health problem among pastoralists, yet it has been neglected by researchers. The risk of being infected by this disease is aggravated by consumption of unpasteurized milk products. Brucellosis popularly known as the milk disease is a bacterial disease caused by Brucella abortus. The disease leads to spontaneous abortion in infected cattle and is transmissible to humans.

In humans, the symptoms of the disease are strikingly similar to those of malaria with fever, headache, malaise, and vomiting. Aware that brucellosis remains a neglected zoonotic disease in Uganda, Gabriel Tumwine, a Cohort 2 CARTA Fellow, led a cross-sectional study to determine the sero-prevalence and risk factors associated with human brucellosis in communities where livestock rearing is a common practice. The country-wide study revealed that individuals that are in agro-pastoral communitiesand consume milk and milk products are at higher risk.

Gabriel Tumwine, Cohort 2 CARTA Fellow

According to the study results, in Uganda, human Brucella sero-prevalence was at 17.0% and is higher among males at 20.5%. Sex, age, occupation, religion, education levels, knowledge of the disease, keeping animals at home, processing local milk products, slaughter of animals, handling of abortus, assisting animals giving birth, drinking of animal’s urine and sharing water points with animals were not significantly associated with brucellosis.

Being single puts you at a higher risk of getting this disease. This is because, according to the study, of the lifestyle that single people adopt. Single people tend to eat food that is easy to prepare. Milk and milk products that have been locally processed are readily available and need little time to prepare and hence an option for many single people. Moreover, single people, in many communities are often charged with the responsibility of looking after animals in livestock keeping areas and most cases end up consuming unpasteurized milk products. These put single people at a higher risk of acquiring Brucella abortus.

The study recommends that there is a need to initiate screening and early treatment of infected humans and a much higher need of awareness creation amongst the public about brucellosis.

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Wide Breadth of Research Displayed at the 2nd CARTA Fellows’ Conference

July 22, 2015, 11:14 pm

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A wide breadth of research was displayed during the 2015 CARTA fellows’ conference held in Nairobi, Kenya alongside two Joint Advanced Seminars (JASes) for CARTA fellows. CARTA organizes a conference during the last JAS for every cohort of fellows to offer them an opportunity to present on their research to a wide audience that is drawn from various institutions and various scholars.

The fellows’ conference helps fulfil the vision of CARTA of building a vibrant African academy that is able to lead world class multidisciplinary research that makes a positive impact on public and population health. They are held annually during the JAS 4, the final JAS for CARTA fellows. The presentations at this years’ conference were a clear display of quality work being done by the students and an indication of growth towards becoming research leaders in Africa. They tackled a number of topics on health ranging from non-communicable to infectious diseases; HIV, family planning, food security, malaria, and health of the aging, environmental health related issues and knowledge, attitudes and practices in health.

“The wide variety of issues being addressed by the fellows through their presentations is a true reflection of the depth and breadth of the programme,” said Chima Izugbara, Director of Research and Capacity Strengthening Division at APHRC.

Did you know that brucellosis is a significant and neglected public health problem among human population living in livestock keeping and the risk is being aggravated byconsumption of unpasteurized milk products? And that investment in the education of the slum households may, in the long term, contribute to reduction in the prevalence offood insecurity? These are some of the findings from papers presented at the conference.

The depth of research presented is a confirmation of CARTA’s aims to foster vibrant and viable multidisciplinary research hubs at African universities and creating locally-trained internationally- recognized researchers on areas of health and population in Africa. Participants drawn from CARTA partner institutions and Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology, University of Nairobi, Moi University, Kenyatta University, United States International University and Daystar University are some of the institutions from which a section of the conference participants were drawn.

“The conference was very informative. I loved so much the medical related presentations. They were well researched and used current data and information. I would not mind being part of such a conference anytime it is held,” remarked Judith Otele Karimi anepidemiologist from Daystar University and Quality Assurance and Benefits officer at the National Hospital and Insurance Fund in Kenya.

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CARTA Program: Setting Standards in Research and Training in Africa

July 22, 2015, 11:16 pm

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By Paul Ruto, Associate Researcher, United States International University in Nairobi Kenya.

This year’s CARTA fellows’ conference was perfect timing for me. The diverse participants at this conference brought in rich knowledge and experience. The participants had high expectations - but I had no doubts since the CARTA programupholds high standards. The organization of the conference was professionally done from the setup of the room, choice of presenters and facilitators, strict time-keeping, conference evaluation forms and the materials given to all participants.

The highlights was presentations from the PhD fellows who depicted high quality research. From health issues, communicable and non-communicable diseases, to sexual behaviors across different countries, it was evident that time and resources was invested in each research. Moreover, the PhD trainees’ good presentations was a reflection of the high quality of research they had undertaken. I only wished we hadmore time to delve deeper into their findings.

Presentation after presentation, I developed the urge to hear even more. If time was extended a little bit, I am sure that presenters and participants would have more time fordetailed presentation, questions and interaction especially on emerging interesting topics such as football, risky sexual behaviors, food security, brucellosis, contrimoxazole and the mathematical model. I believe many in the academics field can benefit from such conferences. There was so much to learn, including PhD training and supervision, research methodology, presentations and much more. For published/ accessed papers, it will add value for participants to access these even prior to the presentations as this would even stimulate more academic discussions.

That said and done, the CARTA fellows were very warm, welcoming, humorous, displayed diverse culture, and were able to articulate their findings. CARTA fellows proved that quality research can be used to solve societal problems!

Regardless of the country, background or discipline, quality is key and CARTA is setting the standards in PhD training in Africa

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My PhD study and the CARTA experience

July 22, 2015, 11:23 pm

≫ Next: 2015 ADDRF FELLOWSHIPS FOR DOCTORAL RESEARCH ON HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND VACCINE TRIALS IN WEST AFRICA

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By Stephen Ojiambo Wandera, Cohort 2 CARTA Fellow

I remember in 2012, I had interrupted nights answering questions for the preliminary screening for CARTA fellowship. I would wake up in the middle of the night to continue from where I had left then go back to sleep. This was a hectic time for me but I needed to do a PhD. Finally, I answered all questions and submitted. Few months later, I received an email from the CARTA secretariat awarding me a CARTA fellowship.

In the award letter, the aspect of Joint Advanced Seminars (JAS) moved me. I looked forward to attending them. What I needed was state of the art training in scientific writing. This was critical for my future success and career as a researcher. I had learnt to aim high from my childhood. This time round, my mission was to be an academic, “a young African professor by age 40”. To say the least, JAS made a huge impact in my career.

My journey through the CARTA JASes

JAS 1 in Nairobi Kenya helped me to reshape and refine my research idea. Initially, I wanted to investigate how “intergenerational support is associated with access to healthcare among older people”. I realized that it was a narrow aspect. I broadened it to focus on “Healthcare access inequalities among older people in Uganda”. The ESEO team gave immense support and hands on experience in building a strong theoreticalfoundation for this work.

JAS 2 at the School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand (2012), was another building block. During this time, I concretized data analysis skills using NVIVO. I am using NVIVO to analyze qualitative data. This is a useful skill for a lifetime. I have started transferring these skills and competencies to graduate students at Makerere University.

JAS 3 at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2013) was an incredible landmark. I had an opportunity to interface with advanced and senior statisticians: Jonathan Levin and Max Petzold; and to write and present two journal articles from my PhD research. The input and comments from CARTA Cohort 2 members was a great addition. The inspiration and feedback from the facilitators (Prof. Uche, Dr. Funke and Dr.Izugbara) were very helpful. I managed to submit these two papers during and after JAS 3. I acknowledge the support from Prof. Donald Cole and Prof. Max Petzold for their support to reviewingmy manuscripts.

JAS 4 held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi Kenya was incredible. We got inspirationfrom a number of facilitators. I will never forget Prof. Nangulu’s story of a persistent mentor and academic, who has risen through the ranks to become professor at age 46. This was very important to me because it shows that goals, however difficult they are achievable. Everything is possible to them that believe and say it out. You remain challenged to stay focused knowing that you have a great cloud of witnesses to your confessions and aspirations. Bringing Cohorts 2 and 5 in the same venue for their JAS 4 and JAS 1 respectively is abrilliant idea. It gave me an opportunity to look back and reflect on where we have come from in the CARTA program.

Where do I go from here?

CARTA has really made my future brighter. I look forward to becoming a professor by age 40. It sounds over-ambitious but I have learnt over time that to achieve more in life, you have to set a very high target and aspiration for yourself. I intend to engage in research and publishing on the issues affecting the African continent including population ageing, inequalities in health and access to healthcare, and gender-based violence. I have to build capacity to apply for and win research grants while at Makerere University (JAS 4 is an answer to this need). In addition, I will build the capacity of other researchers through the Health Access Research Consult, registered in 2012. As a way of giving back to the community, I intend to do a transfer project by setting up an NGO to support older people’s health needs in Uganda.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge CARTA funders for supporting us as a Cohort. In particular, I am grateful to the Wellcome Trust (UK), the Department for International Development (DfID), and Carnegie Corporation of New York, Ford Foundation, Google.Org, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and MacArthur Foundation. In addition, I appreciate the contribution of German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for additional funding, Population Association of America (PAA, 2014) for the travel award to Boston, where I presented a paper on disability. The CARTA facilitators & secretariat and cohort 2 fellows have been a great resource to me. To my supervisors, who have included: Professor James Ntozi, Dr. Betty Kwagala, Dr. Isabella Aboderin, thank you for your mentorship and supervision. All things are possible for them that believe and work towards them.

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2015 ADDRF FELLOWSHIPS FOR DOCTORAL RESEARCH ON HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND VACCINE TRIALS IN WEST AFRICA

August 2, 2015, 11:42 pm

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The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), in partnership with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), is pleased to announce a call for applications for doctoral fellowships in HIV/AIDS prevention and vaccine trials in West Africa. These fellowships are expected to contribute to the creation of sustainable capacity and leadership to conduct HIV/AIDS prevention trials with special focus on innovations in HIV/AIDS prevention technologies, particularly HIV vaccines in the following countries: Benin, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria and Senegal.

The ADDRF Program will award up to seven (7) fellowships in 2015 to doctoral students who are citizens or residents of a West African (ECOWAS) country AND who are affiliated to an institution in Benin, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, or Senegal. Research themes for these awards are open to a range of disciplines, such as biomedical research, epidemiology, or social and behavioral sciences, as long as their focus remains HIV/AIDS prevention and vaccine trials. These fellowships will be awarded to doctoral students who are within two years of completing their thesis and whose research shows great promise of making cutting-edge contributions to HIV prevention and policy issues in the region.

The application form and supporting documents should be submitted in a single email to2015addrf@aphrc.org
For questions, please contact:
The ADDRF Manager, E-mail: 2015addrf@aphrc.org
Telephone: 254 20 400 1000: Cell: +254 722 205-933 / 720 098-388 / 733 410-102; Fax: +254 20 400 1101

Details of the call are available here:

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2015 Bourses de Doctorat (ADDRF) pour la Prévention et les Essais Cliniques de Vaccins contre le VIH / SIDA en Afrique de l’Ouest

African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), avec l’appui du Centre de Recherche pour le Développement International (CRDI) a le plaisir de lancer un appel à candidatures pour les bourses de doctorat en prévention du VIH/SIDA et essais cliniques de vaccins contre le VIH / SIDA en Afrique de l’Ouest. Ces bourses sont censées contribuer à la création de capacités durables et de leadership pour mener la prévention et les essais cliniques de vaccin contre le VIH / SIDA avec un accent particulier sur les innovations dans les technologies de prévention du VIH / SIDA, en particulier les vaccins contre le VIH dans les pays suivants: le Bénin, la Gambie, la Guinée-Bissau, le Nigéria et le Sénégal.

Le Programme ADDRF attribuera jusqu’à sept (7) bourses en 2015 aux doctorants qui sont citoyens ou résidents de pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest (pays de la CEDEAO) et qui sont affiliés à une institution dans les pays suivants le Bénin, la Gambie, la Guinée-Bissau, le Nigéria et le Sénégal. Cet appel est ouvert à un large éventail de disciplines telles que la recherche biomédicale, l’épidémiologie, les sciences sociales et comportementales, du moment que l’objectif de la recherche reste la prévention du VIH/SIDA et les essais cliniques de vaccins contre le VIH / SIDA. Ces bourses seront attribuées à des étudiants en doctorat à qui il reste tout au plus deux ans pour soutenir leurs thèses et dont la recherche montre un potentiel de contribution de haute qualité aux politiques de prévention du VIH dans la région.

Le formulaire de demande et les pièces justificatives doivent être soumis dans un simple email à 2015addrf@aphrc.org. Pour toute question, veuillez contacter: ADDRF Manager, Courrier électronique: 2015addrf@aphrc.org / Téléphone cellulaire: +254 722 205-933 / 720 098-388 / 733 410-102; Télécopier: +254 20 400 1101

Détails

2015 Bourses de Doctorat (ADDRF) pour la Prévention et les Essais Cliniques de Vaccins contre le VIH / SIDA en Afrique de l’Ouest

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Developing critical skills to influence quality of academics in Africa

August 4, 2015, 11:19 pm

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University faculty and administration staff are key to the production of quality PhD graduates. These staff need to acquire specific skill-sets critical in supporting growth and development of post-graduate studies in order to realize quality graduates. For this reason, the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA), held a 3-day Faculty and Administrators’ Staff (FAS) workshop from July 27-29, 2015. Hosted by the University of Nairobi, Kenya, the workshop was attended by over 100 participants drawn from CARTA participating institutions across sub-Saharan Africa.

CARTA, through the FAS workshops, aims to give faculty and administration staff an understanding and awareness of the skills required to effectively supervise research. Apart from offering a foundation for the specific skills needed to fund, manage, disseminate and commercially exploit scientific research, FAS workshops also train participants on managing international and multidisciplinary research projects.

“FAS workshops are organized by CARTA to equip the faculty staff members with necessary skills in research, grant writing, research governance and other skills they need in their day to day work and that enable them to smoothly support the operationalization of the program activities at their various institutions. This is part of our institutional strengthening support offered by CARTA to participating institutions,” said Prof. Peter Ngure, representing Dr. Catherine Kyobutungi, Director of Research, APHRC, at the opening of the workshop. Prof. Ngure is the CARTA Program Manager.

FAS workshops seeks to promote quality and effective research as well as build a strong research culture, and financial and information management systems in research in Africa. The participants are trained to become change agents within their institutions and act as catalysts for the program. Further, FAS offers the participants a networking opportunity for them to share insights on common challenges facing their institutions and to also share best practices of what has worked in trying to counter the challenges from their institutional points of view.

“We are happy to note that CARTA has not just been leading collaborative PhD training but also ensured that available resources for training faculty and administrators are pooled together and have this training of international repute come to fruition,” said Prof. Peter Mbithi, Vice Chancellor, University of Nairobi adding, “I have no doubt that every one of the participants seated here today, will have the right impetus to be change agents in their universities by contributing to quality research in their own way.”

FAS was first held in Nairobi in 2011 and has seen over 350 participants trained on issues in research management and governance, use of information technology, supervision and mentoring of graduate students, grant writing, and knowledge management. Because of the huge improvement in post-graduate training support offered by the previous FAS participants, CARTA is convinced of the importance of FAS workshops. This is why the 6th workshop was held this year. As a result of the FAS workshop, librarians who attended the last FAS workshop managed to come together and jointly author a paper that was published in a peer reviewed journal, a practice that is rare amongst faculty staff of any institutions if it does exist.

The participants at the 6th FAS workshop came from several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. These included South Africa, Uganda, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya

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2016 NRF - TWAS Post-Doctoral Fellowships Call

August 9, 2015, 11:35 pm

≫ Next: Five things to think about if you’re considering a doctorate

≪ Previous: Developing critical skills to influence quality of academics in Africa

The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in partnership with The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), are pleased to announce the call for fellowship applications for the NRF - TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowships for 2016. These fellowships are open to permanent residents from eligible developing countries other than South Africa.

Applicants must apply on the NRF Online system at: https://nrfsubmission.nr f.ac.za and follow the application process set out in the attached call document and application guide. The deadline for submission of applications to the host institutions, for approval by Designated Authorities (DAs) is 02 October 2015.

Please Note:
Institutional DAs must validate all applications no later than 16 October 2015. Institutions are required to set their own internal closing dates, so as to enable validation by institutional DAs prior to submission to the NRF.

Should you have any queries with regards to the call requirements or application procedure, please contact an NRF contact person listed below:

Ms Zikhona Lose:

Professional Officer - Grants Management and Systems Administration (GMSA). Telephone: 012 481 4365. E-mail: zikhona.lose@nrf.ac.za<mailto:zikhona.lose@nrf.ac.za>

Ms Nompumelelo Thwala:

Professional Officer - Human and Infrastructure Capacity Development (HICD). Telephone: 012 481 4232. E-mail: nompumelelo.thwala@nrf.ac.za<mailto:nompumelelo.thwala@nrf.ac.za>

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Email: p.c.rutayisire@ur.ac.rw ; rutayisirepc@gmail.com

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