In order to empower and mentor more research professionals in the health sector, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has embarked on training undergraduate students to contribute on the campaign to end the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Yesterday 7th July 2022, MUST has organized a micro- research dissemination conference held at its main campus in kihumuro under the theme “Mentoring for early career HIV Researchers creating opportunities.”
The conference was facilitated by Health Professional Education Partnership Initiative- Transforming Uganda Institutions Training Against HIV/AIDS (HEP-TUITAH). This was an opportunity for Micro-Research students to disseminate their research findings following a 12-month study funded by HEPI-TUITAH project.
The conference attracted a total of 18 teams of undergraduate students to present their research findings on challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS, forms of sexual violence among women seeking HIV service, intimate partner violence, social and health support services for people living with HIV and mental illness and HIV/AIDS health care services.
Associate Professor Samuel Maling who represented MUST Vice chancellor thanked HEPI-TUITAH and MUST to contribute towards the micro-research dissemination. He further congratulated the young researchers for having obtained a chance to carryout practical research at an early stage and encouraged them to maintain the zeal because their journey has just started.
The keynote speaker of the event was Dr. Peter Ssebutinde the District Health Officer for Mbarara preached about the role of research in ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.
In his remarks, he credited MUST and mentors for creating providing an enabling environment for research practitioners to contribute towards the campaign to end HIV/AIDS by 2030.
He concluded by encouraging all education institutions to invest heavily in research, create an enabling environment, ensure that their research is inclusive, publish the findings and as a DHO, he will be there to render any support needed.
According to Dr. Godfrey Rukundo, the micro-research project was modeled on microfinance principles to ensure that studies are conducted on easily accessible small grants targeting to solve local community problems.
The aims of the project included developing skills of working in multidisciplinary teams, equipping skills needed for community focused research, writing community focused research proposals and strengthening clinician scientific programs.
A total of 11 teams composed of undergraduate students have published their work on different research journals and others have submitted their findings pending confirmation.
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