MRC NEWSLETTER

NIHR GHRU 1 & 2, 5S Foundation Annual Meeting – Kigali, Rwanda

NIHR GHRU

The Mycetoma Research Centre (MRC) participation in the NIHR GHRU 1 & 2, 5S Foundation Annual Meeting – Kigali, Rwanda, 29th January 2022 – 5th February 2022.

The meeting coincided with the celebration of World Neglected Tropical Disease Day and was an opportunity to build collaborations and opportunities for cooperation between the participants from the three countries, Sudan, Rwanda, and Ethiopia in the field of their mission to eliminate neglected tropical diseases, scientific research, and community service.

 The MRC was represented by a high-level delegation that involved Professor Ahmed Hassan Fahal.
Advisory board members: Prof. Abdallah EL Khawad, Prof. Intisar Sighayroun EL Zein, Prof. Waleed Alamin, and Dr. Altayeb Ginawa.
Dr. Sahar Bddallah
Mr. George Parvini, Finance Assistant
Dr. Taysir Kashif, Public Engagement Officer.
The meeting coincided with the celebration of World Neglected Tropical Disease Day and was an opportunity to build collaborations and opportunities for cooperation between the participants from the three countries, Sudan, Rwanda, and Ethiopia in the field of their mission to eliminate neglected tropical diseases, scientific research, and community service.
The meeting started on Sunday 30th January with the celebration of Phase 1. Professor Fahal spoke to the audience about the MRC's research projects and the center's international partnerships.
That was followed by parallel Sessions: Trainee Network event lectures included early career researchers (ECRs) in Phase 1, Phase 2, and 5S Programs, and 5S end of projects outputs for 5S Partner and 5S BSMS CO-Is, 5S SAB members, PEOs, Project Coordinators.
A wonderful short film produced by the MRC was screened that noon. The film entitled: MRC; The new way to stand, showed the center's research projects, and the important roles done by the Mycetoma and Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Centre (SAA’ID) and EL Hassan Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Clinical Trials Research. All participants expressed their admiration for the film with their kind remarks and warm applause.
The same day evening there was an advocacy event at the Kigali Convention Centre which its dome was illuminated in violet and pink, the colors of the celebration of the World Neglected Tropical Disease Day.
All participants were received with a standing ovation and Rwandan cultural groups performed traditional Rwandan dances to rhythmic drum beats in the presence of the Rwandan Minister of Health and a group of local and international health professionals.
MRC delegation was also received by HE Mr. Ali Mohammed, Deputy of mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Rwanda.
Monday 31st January. As part of the Annual Meeting for the 5S Foundation, Dr. Taysir Kashif, the Public Engagement Officer, presented the MRC’s 2021 - 2022 achievements.
The second part of the meeting was the Phase 2 thematic group meetings & Theory of Change by Phase 2 participants and a case study session around consenting and power for the early career researchers.
That Monday night witnessed a social event in which a local Rwandan band performed folk songs and the audience participated in folk dances expressing each country. The MRC members participated by their unique Sudanese dances that were well received by everyone on that joyful night.
Tuesday 1st February started with a 5S training session for 5S trainees accompanied by a parallel session for Phase 2 program members and 5S PEOs: Impact & Theme meetings for GHRU Phase 2.
Professor Fahal delivered to the audience a valuable speech on the importance of cooperation, unified vision, and the joint role of research centers in reducing neglected tropical diseases.
Tuesday was crowned by a visit to the museums and the parliament building to learn about the success story of the Rwandan people who rose from the ashes to the limits of the sun, becoming role models and a story of success.
Wednesday 2nd February, 5S PEOs, 5S PDRFs had a 5S impact review and planning meeting, where Dr. Taysir Kashif presented a comprehensive presentation regarding the MRC’s progress in the 5S foundation public engagement activities.
5S Foundation training sessions followed for the 5S trainees, PDRFs and PhDs, Qualitative Research Method (In-depth interview), and Ethnographic Observation.
The 5S Refresher Training on Medical Anthropology and Qualitative Method for PDRFs and PhDs continued on the following days till Saturday 5th February which included Ethnography Practical and fieldwork, FGD/PRA and Photovoice Practical, CICI Framework, Writing Joint paper, Data Analysis, Positionality in Qualitative research, and Methodology Clinic (each candidate presented his methodology).