On 6th November, 2023, MUST, under the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies (FIS) in partnership with Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) hosted a 5 days training. This focused on elevation of Nordic Africa Institute ensuring impactful research outcomes.
The NAI team was led by Victoria Engstrand Neacsu, the Head of Communications at the Nordic Africa Institute. Her wealth of experience set the tone for a week filled with insights and practical knowledge. Other members were: Heba Habib, a communications officer, who navigated the nuances of ‘Understanding Your Target Audience to Enhance Impact and Henrik Alfredsson, another communications officer at the Nordic Africa Institute, delved into the intricate process of establishing a research policy.
The entire event was coordinated by Dr.Viola Nyakato, a senior lecturer in FIS, who benefited from the training at the Nordic Africa Institute in Sweden, through a one year exchange programme that gave her insights in Science-to-Policy Communication. Viola found it necessary for other faculty and staff to benefit, from this training, thus the 5 days training.
Through online registration, faculty and MUST staff registered for the event and this attracted a number of participants willing to attend, this required Dr. Viola to select and contact the persons she thought urgently needed the Training. The NAI team intended to train 30 people for efficiency and effective output.
This started with Dr. Viola Nyakato giving insights about the NAI, the partnership MUST has with NAI and her experience at the institute for the year fellowship that immersed her in the dynamic realm of policy communication at NAI.
Dr. Robert Stalone Buwule, the University Librarian, underscored the significance of the training in enhancing science communication for all. The conviction that science communication is pivotal for universal understanding and engagement echoed through the walls of MUST.
The team made a courtesy call to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs Prof. Nixon Kamukama. He appreciated the NAI team for thinking about MUST and the support rendered. He also thanked Dr. Viola for bring the training home for other staff to benefit. If all other faculty do what you did, MUST will flourish more”. The discussion was about the training targets, the impact and the way forward in relation to Science to communication policy. These later exchanged souvenirs
The week was not merely an academic exercise but a transformative experience, equipping participants with the skills and knowledge to bridge the gap between science and policy communication. As the curtains closed on this insightful week, the echoes of shared wisdom reverberated, shaping a future where research not only thrives in academia but resonates in the corridors of policy-making and public understanding.
