From August 12 to 16, the Ifakara Health Institute is actively participating in the "Academic, Professional, and Administrative Staff (APAS)" workshop, organized by the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA). 

Hosted at Makerere University School of Public Health – Resilient Africa Network (MAKSPH-RAN) in Kampala, Uganda, the goal is to improve how universities and research institutions support PhD and postdoctoral researchers. This will help create a more supportive environment for early career researchers, making it easier for them to advance their work and grow their skills. 

This event gathered staff from different universities and research institutions who support researchers in various ways. The goal is to create a culture of responsiveness, which is crucial for building research skills among early-career researchers, including those working on their PhDs or postdoctoral studies. The focus is on evaluating how well institutional processes and systems support a good PhD training environment.

Representing Ifakara Health Institute are Senior Management Accountant Peter Temu, Senior Administration Officer Cecilia Francis, Senior Administrative Officer - Training Department, Mwajabu Hamis, Assistant Grants and Contracts Officer, and Dr. Zawadi Mageni Mboma, Head of the Grants and Contracts Unit. 

In addition to participating in the main workshop, Peter Temu and Dr. Zawadi Mageni Mboma took part in a Training of Trainers (ToT) segment. This component of the program is designed to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, enabling them to bring valuable insights and strategies back to their home institutions.

The workshop provides an invaluable opportunity for participants to gain skills and knowledge that will enhance their roles in supporting research and fostering academic excellence. It also serves as a platform for networking and collaboration, contributing to the broader goal of improving research outputs across Africa.