BACKGROUND:
The Uganda Society for Health Scientists (USHS) is a research society, which was formed by Fogarty trainees from various universities in 1999. The society is registered as an NGO and run by an executive board, a secretariat and an advisory board. Membership is open to people interested in scientific research and currently stands at over 900 members consisting of both medical and non-medical professionals.
VISION:
To be a nationally recognized leader in promoting scientific research for better health.
MISSION:
To play a leading role in improving the health of Ugandans through knowledge and seeking scientific discoveries and inventions.
OBJECTIVES:
- To promote networking and the development of partnerships among health researchers.
- To collaborate with individuals and institutions within and outside Uganda whose interests bear relevance to the objectives of the USHS.
- To provide community services including consultancy services for both government and non-government institutions.
- To share experiences during scientific meetings
- To promote presentations/ dissemination of research findings at national and international meetings
- To provide a forum for regular scientific discussions
- To build capacity of researchers in grant sourcing by providing them with skills in grant and scientific writing
- To provide developmental grants to successful society members to conduct scientific research
UGANDA FOGARTY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
This was formed as an interest group within the Uganda Society for Health Scientists (USHS) on 2nd June 2006. The association aims to establish a network of Ugandans both current and former Fogarty trainees from different universities and support their post training activities.
USHS MEMBER BENEFITS
- Forum for research training
- Interaction with a professional network of peers
- Accessibility to resource center
- Sponsorship to scientific meetings
- Regular scientific discussions
- Planning scientific presentations
- Mentorships & career guidance
- Prizes for best researchers
ACTIVITIES
- Grant scientific writing skills and workshops
- Annual scientific conference
- Monthly journal clubs and scientific lectures
- Resource centre
Resources available include reference books, scientific journals, medical literature search facilities and internet services.
- Bi-annual news letter
- Grant management
- Organizing scientific conferences
- Research methodology workshops
- Bioinformative workshop.