The Research Support Centre conducted a two-day virtual training in the third quarter of 2021: Grant proposal Writing (6-8 July) and Research Methodology (17 – 19 August).
Research Methodology Course (17th to -19 August 2021)
Participants (83) comprised of UZ postgraduate and undergraduate students, faculty and students from other local universities
Course Description
This course provides an intensive introduction to Research Methodology (including problem identification, research designs, data collection methods, dissemination and implementation science concepts). The course introduces a range of research tools and researchers will be equipped to plan and implement their research.
Grant Proposal Writing (6-8 July 2021)
Participants (32) included junior faculty and post graduate students.
Course Description
This course provides an intensive introduction to Research Methodology (including problem identification, research designs, data collection methods, dissemination and implementation science concepts) with a focus in developing skills in proposal writing. The course introduces a range of research tools and researchers will be equipped to plan and implement their research.
Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Course ( 26-27 February 2019)
Ms P Chandiwana presenting the GCP Training
Course Description:
The Good Clinical Practice (GCP) course is designed to prepare research staff in the conduct of clinical trials/ research with human participants. The course provides a framework of principles which aim to ensure the safety and wellbeing of research participants and the integrity and validity of data.
AMARI Project Research Methodology/Proposal Writing Workshop (10-14 December 2018)
Participants of the AMARI Research Methodology/Proposal Writing Workshop
One-on one student consultation during the Research Methodology/Proposal Writing Workshop
The University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences Research Support Centre (UZCHS – RSC) together with the African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI) hosted a five day Research Methodology and Proposal Writing workshop from 3 – 7 December 2018 at the UZCHS – RSC. The five day workshop was attended by some of AMARI’s Cohort 2 and 3 PhD and MPhil fellows who are still in the process of developing their research proposals. The workshop was facilitated by Prof Gomo, Prof Rusakaniko and Dr Musesengwa.
The fellows presented their proposals on the last day of the workshop and exuded exceptional knowledge and skills amassed from the workshop, with the majority of them managing to build up meaningful and elaborate topics.
Congratulatory Messages
The RSC is delighted to celebrate with faculty whose grants are being managed by the RSC who have been promoted by the Vice Chancellor of the university in 2018
.Professor Mutsa Bwakura-Dangarembizi from the Department of Paediatrics and Child Care is now an Associate Professor at the UZ. She is the Principal Investigator (PI) of a Wellcome Trust grant titled ‘Training Fellowship in Public Health and Tropical Medicine entitled Long –term clinical and nutritional outcomes of HIV-infected children surviving inpatient management of Severe Acute Malnutrition’.
Professor Clara Haruzivishe from the department of Nursing Science has been promoted to Associate Professor at UZ. She is the country coordinator of the NORHED project. Professor Haruzivishe has supported DPhil fellows in the Department of Nursing Sciences
RSC Grants Administrator, Thokozile Mashaah at the International Network of Research Management Societies (INORMS) in Edinburgh, Scotland
RSC Grants Administrator: Thokozile Mashaah
I participated in the INORMS 2018 Congress from the 4th to 7th June 2018 through a partial travel award from Southern African Research & Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) and support from PERFECT Programme and the RSC. INORMS is a biennial congress for research managers and administrators from all over the world. This year’s congress had over 1100 participants from 45 countries. The purpose of my travel was to gain knowledge and skills in research management such researcher development, managing research projects, leadership and professional development as well as future shape of research management work. I also managed to network with colleagues from all over the world. An interesting session in the Future Shape of Work stream, was the discussion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research administration. Intelligent avatars could be used in searching and disseminating funding opportunities, real-time monitoring and assessment as well as providing advice and guidance to researchers. Some institutions in the developing countries have already started using AI. Research administration is a demanding and stressful job, thus we were encouraged to destress by ‘Choosing to be POSITIVE’ in our everyday work life.
I also attended in the SARIMA workshop which focused on professionalisation of research management. During the workshop we reviewed a Professional Competency Framework (PCF) for research management that was developed by SARIMA. The framework highlights 9 key competencies for research administration and at each level it outlines what is expected of a research administrator/manager at administrative/operational, management and leadership/strategic levels. I believe this framework will assist many institutions in the continent to structure research administration within their institutions. On a lighter note visiting Edinburgh for the first time was an incredible experience.
Participants at the SARIMA workshop
