This project is a collaboration between NEMRA, The East Africa Scientific Research Network and Academic Without Borders (AWB). Its aim is to enhance the capabilities of Early Career Researchers in Uganda. It follows AWB approach to addressing fundamental academic and research issues in the global south. Co-creation of knowledge is at the heart of all AWB projects, starting with a consultative process between AWB and the host institution that identifies the project’s purpose and scope. Canadian volunteers are then vetted by the host institutions and AWB and are added to the project team to assist in meeting the project objectives.
ECRU & AWB Project
overview
Early-Career Research Uganda (ECRU) Project
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Uganda Project Team Members. | |
| Dr John Baptist Imokola | Assistant Lecturer, Makerere University – Project Coordinator |
| Dr Aisha Jaggwe | Director of Research, Muteesa I Royal University – Team member |
| Dr Juliet Kyayesimira | Lecturer, Kyambogo University – NEMRA Representative |
| Dr Norman Mukasa | Affiliated Researcher, Muteesa I Royal University & EASRN Representative Member |
| Dr Loice Natukunda | Lecturer, University of Lincoln, UK – Team member |
| AWB Representatives | |
| Freda Tong | Project Coordinator |
| Corrie Young | Associate Executive Director |
| Canada Volunteers | |
| Dr. Mike Brklacich | Professor Emeritus, Carleton University |
| Dr Dave Valliere | Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University |
| Uganda Institutional Champions | |
| Dr. Wilberforce Kabweru | School of Public Health, Makerere University |
| Dr Fredrick Lugya | Busitema University |
| Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko | Mbarara University of Science and Technology |
| Dr. James Wanziima | Bugema University |
| Dr. Pamela Khanakwa | Makerere University |
| Dr. Angella Nakapol | Uganda Christian University |
| Dr Judith Nagasha | Kyambogo University |
| Ms. Nagawa Gorrete | Muteesa I Royal University |
TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP FOR ADVANCING EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS IN UGANDA
Dear reader,
We would like to provide you with some information on the Training of Trainers (ToT) program scheduled for April 22nd-26th, 2024. This program is part of a project called “Advancement of Early Career Researchers in Uganda” which is being implemented by the Network for Education and Multi-disciplinary Research in Africa (NEMRA), the East African Scientific Research Network (EASRN) and Academics Without Borders (AWB). The objective of the project is to equip early career researchers in Uganda with a stronger foundation for long-term career success. By participating in this program, your school will benefit from having more productive early career researchers who can produce more research output, publish more, write better grants and attend more conferences.
Between December 2022 and January 2023, we carried out a needs assessment survey to identify the career needs of early career researchers in Uganda. The survey findings revealed that early career researchers need more support in areas such as research grants, research opportunities, research management and supervision, and overall career management. The program aims to address these challenges by training and mentoring early career researchers to develop enhanced research capabilities. The goal is to improve research productivity and output. AWB will be providing support for the program by sending two experienced Canadian academics who have volunteered to conduct training courses for early career researchers. They will be in Uganda in April 2024 to pilot the courses and train the trainers who will then implement the program more widely in Uganda.
In our endeavor to ensure the success of this program, Academics Without Borders will be bringing in two distinguished professors from Canada who will generously volunteer their expertise to conduct training and mentorship sessions, contributing significantly to the professional development of participating researchers.
Deans of participating universities/institutions have mobilized and supported five members of their faculty to attend a week-long “Train the Trainers” (ToT) session offered by AWB volunteers on April 22nd-26th, 2024 at Kyambogo University, Kampala. The targeted participants are early career researchers who obtained their PhDs not earlier than 2012 or assistant lecturers who are yet to pursue or complete their PhDs. Please note that the participants in this session will form Cohort 1 and other interested candidates will have another opportunity next year.
We appreciate your interest in this program and would like to assure you that another opportunity will be available next year. If you have any inquiries or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always available to address any concerns and provide further assistance as needed.
Sincerely,
John Baptist Imokola, PhD,
(Project Coordinator – Uganda)
+256782280535/+256759074148
For details or to share ideas and suggest participants, you can get in touch on imokola@gmail.com
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UGANDA PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS.
- John Baptist Imokola, Assistant Lecturer, Makerere University – Project Coordinator
- Aisha Jaggwe, Director of Research, Muteesa I Royal University – Team member
- Juliet Kyayesimira, Lecturer, Kyambogo University – NEMRA Representative
- Norman Mukasa, Affiliated Researcher, Muteesa I Royal University & EASRN Representative Member
- Loice Natukunda, Lecturer, University of Lincoln, UK – Team member
AWB REPRESENTATIVES
- Freda Tong, Project Coordinator
- Corrie Young, Associate Executive Director
CANADA VOLUNTEERS [ VISITING PROFESSORS]
- Mike Brklacich, Professor Emeritus, Carleton University
- Dave Valliere, Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University
UGANDA INSTITUTIONAL CHAMPIONS
- Wilberforce Kabweru – School of Public Health, Makerere University
- Fredrick Lugya – Busitema University
- Medard Twinamatsiko – Mbarara University of Science and Technology
- James Wanziima – Bugema University
- Pamela Khanakwa – Makerere University
- Angella Nakapol – Uganda Christian University
- Judith Nagasha – Kyambogo University
- Nagawa Gorrety – Muteesa I Royal University