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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dc.contributor.authorNakanjako, Damalie
dc.contributor.authorZalwango, Flavia
dc.contributor.authorWairagala, Pamela
dc.contributor.authorLuboga, Fiona
dc.contributor.authorAndia Biraro, Irene
dc.contributor.authorBukirwa, Victoria Diana
dc.contributor.authorMboowa, Mary Gorrethy
dc.contributor.authorCose, Steve
dc.contributor.authorSeeley, Janet
dc.contributor.authorElliott, Alison
dc.date.accessioned2022-06-06T21:02:40Z
dc.date.available2022-06-06T21:02:40Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.description.abstractThe 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.en_US
dc.identifier.citationNakanjako 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.13066.2en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/3788
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13066.2
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherAAS Open Researchen_US
dc.subjectAcademic careersen_US
dc.subjectCapacity building for research,en_US
dc.subjectInfection and Immunityen_US
dc.subjectImmunologyen_US
dc.subjectBioinformaticsen_US
dc.subjectMentorshipen_US
dc.subjectCollaborationen_US
dc.subjectPartnership
dc.subjectSub-Saharan Africa
dc.titleCareer 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]en_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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