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]
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AAS Open Research
Abstract
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 crosssectional
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 multidisciplinary
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.
Description
Keywords
Academic careers, Capacity building for research,, Infection and
Immunity, Immunology, Bioinformatics, Mentorship, Collaboration, Partnership, Sub-Saharan Africa
Citation
Nakanjako D, Zalwango F, Wairagala P et al. 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 2020, 3:26 https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13066.2