What a great milestone it was to witness the celebrations of the two-decade partnership between Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and University Calgary (UoC) on 16th May 2023. Dr. Todd Anderson the Dean of Cumming School of Medicine led the delegation from the University of Calgary composed of Assoc Dean of Indigenous, Local and Global Health Dr. Dianne Mosher, Assistant Dean of Global Health Prof. Jenn Brenner, Coordinator of the MUST-UoC global health electives Dr. Jaelene Mannerfeldt, Ms. Kathleen Jack, four Queen Elizabeth Scholars, and eight Field school students. Representing the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jesca Nsungwa Sabiiti, the Commissioner for Reproductive and Child Health attended the function.
The Director of the Institute of Maternal Newborn and Child Health and the co-director of Healthy Child Uganda (HCU) Prof. Jerome Kabakyenga together with Prof. Jenner Brenner the co-director of HCU are the founders of this partnership. In giving their welcoming remarks, they appreciated all the people that have made this partnership fruitful. Reminiscing on the way it all began, they appreciated the staff in Community Health Department who coordinated the first engagements. Some of the mentioned persons were Assoc. Prof. Edgar Mulogo, Dr. Francis Bajunirwe, Dr. Gad Ruzaaza, Mr. Moses Ntaro and Ms. Teddy Kyomuhangi.
Highlights of the current initiatives that the partnership is engaged in were given. Projects like Healthy Adolescents and Young People in SW Uganda (HAY!) Project, 2020-2024; Scaling up Simulation for Life II Africa (SIM 4 Life II) Project, 2020-2023/24; Pediatrics Linkage with subspecialty development and quality improvement; Emergency Linkage of Emergency department cross learning and capacity building; Digital Story Telling for Global Health Research and Action; MUST-UCalgary health promotion field school; Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) involving skin to skin care and quality improvement for neonates at risk, including constructing KMC wing at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital by Rotary Club; Queen Elizabeth Scholarship studentships and mobility of students for internship programs. More engagements are in Micro Research together with Dalhousie University, special child program, Natasha ward feeding support, Mama Toto sustain and Biofortified crop follow up.
During his address, Dr. Todd Anderson expressed his gratitude to MUST for their enduring partnership, emphasising the importance of this union. He acknowledged the significant progress achieved in the past twenty years, particularly in terms of knowledge and cultural exchange and increased funding for research and community engagements. He has appreciated Prof. Jenn Brenner who started the partnership and recognized her commitment over the years. Dr. Anderson further affirmed that the University of Calgary is committed to nurturing a lasting relationship with MUST. Dr. Ngonzi the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (FOM) applauded the initiators of this partnership and thanked them for their resilience. He pledged that FOM will continue supporting this noble cause.
The Commissioner of Child for Reproductive and Child Health, Dr. Jesca Nsungwa Sabiiti, appreciated Prof. Obua, the MUST community, and the delegates from the UoC for the successful partnership that has been of positive impact and influenced some of the Ministry of Health policies. This is attained through the evidence identified from the research publications under the Institute of Maternal Newborn and Child Health and Healthy Child Uganda. Dr. Sabiiti commended the global significance of the projects undertaken through this partnership, emphasizing their growing prominence. “I appreciate our partnership with the University of Calgary and I feel very proud of the achievements attained over the years,” she said.
In crowning the day, Prof. Celestino Obua the Vice Chancellor of MUST appreciated Prof. Jerome Kabayenga (MUST) and Prof. Jenn Brenner (UoC) the directors of the MUST-UoC Partnership, and all the players of this engagement. Prof. Obua highlighted the advantages of university partnerships, emphasizing the exchange of knowledge and expertise, cultural enrichment, and increased funding opportunities for research projects and innovations. “We are proud of our partnership with the UoC – our partnership is active and has been a good contribution to MUST,” Prof. Obua said. In attendance from MUST were also, the DVC AA, DVC FA, US, and staff.
The celebration created a well-laid center stage to advance the partnership in research, community engagement, and mobility exchange of staff and students.
Succeed we must!