The Importance of Research

Communication and Training Centre in

Communication and Training Centre in

Communication’s Input

By

Joy Owango

University of Nairobi, School of Biological Sciences

P.O.Box 21553-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

The first African-based Training Centre to teach effective communication skills

What is TCC?

Base: University of Nairobi, College of Physical and Biological Sciences, Chiromo Campus, Nairobi, Kenya

In association with: University of Nairobi, School of Biological Sciences

Why TCC?

�We live in a world of science

�Disconnect in communication between scientists and mass mediascientists and mass media

�Open to all fields of science at a postgraduate level

�Access to information and resources

To contribute to the increase in profile, locally, and internationally, of African science, and its impact on the life of

TCC mission

science, and its impact on the life of Africans, by improving skills in technical communication in all forms, at academia and other relevant forums, in the East African countries .

A non-profit organisation (trust) registered in Kenya

Office: Univ. Nairobi, Chiromo Campus

TCC organisation

Office: Univ. Nairobi, Chiromo Campus

Advisory Committee: 9 scientists in East Africa + Denmark, at national universities (KE, TZ, UG), research institutions & international organisations

Director of Training

Dr. Gabor L. Lovei, Senior Scientist, Aarhus University, Denmark, Centre Manager

Ms. Joy Owango, Communications Consultant, JournalistTrainers

1. Mr. Tonny Omwansa- ICT for Development Specialist2. Dr Robai Gakunga-Palliative Care Research Consultant

TCC personnel

3. Ms Anne Nyamu, Science Editor-Consultant4. Dr. Gabor L. Lovei, Senior Scientist, Aarhus University, Denmark5. Dr. Szabolcs Lengyel, Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology,

University of Debrecen, Hungary6. Ms. Joy Owango, Communications Consultant, Journalist

Holding intensive, 5-day courses

Holding short courses (parts of the "long" one)

TCC activity

one)

Training local trainers

Offering short training courses at conferences

Advisory Committee

� Prof.Thure Pavlo Hauser – Copenhagen University

� Prof. C. Borgemeister – DG ICIPE

� Prof. Lucy Irungu – DVC Research &Development University of Nairobi

� Prof J Ntiba- PS Ministry of Fisheries, Kenya� Prof J Ntiba- PS Ministry of Fisheries, Kenya

� Dr Elijah Akunda-Director , School of Biological Sciences, Chiromo campus,UON

� Prof Fredrick Onyango- Fmr Vice Chancellor Maseno University

� Dr. Masoud Muruke, -University of Dar Es Salaam;

� Dr. Muchai Muchane, National Museums of Kenya

� Prof J. Obua- Makerere University

Scientific Communication and Publishing

A training course by the Training Centre in

Communication (TCC), Nairobi, Kenya

A substantial (42-h long), concentrated course,

equivalent to a full-semester 2h/week

course

Course characteristics

course

Runs for 5 full days (early morning- late

afternoon)

Max. 35 participants - to ensure lots of

personal interaction, participation and

discussion

Mind map of the full course

�Basic note-taking and learning skills

�The main types of publications, and how to assess their quality, how to decide about a suitable forum for one's work

�The basics of scientometrics

At the end of the course, the participants are expected to know (1/2):

�How to write a primary scientific paper, a review paper, a conference proceedings paper, a book chapter, and other types of short publications

�How to use graphical tools to analyse data and present technical evidence, how to construct tables and figures

�How to submit, handle and revise manuscripts, the publication process from submission to final publication

� To prepare an oral presentation for different audiences, how to effectively deliver it

� To design and prepare a poster for scientific conferences

� How to participate at scientific conferences and how to

At the end of the course, the participants are expected to know (2/2):

How to participate at scientific conferences and how to interact with their peers

� What are the necessary criteria for a good proposal, and how to maximise chances of success when applying for funds

� How to effectively manage a funded project

� Legal and ethical obligations in research and publication

The long course has been given: in 7

countries (Denmark, Hungary, Italy, China, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Kenya, )

Course credentials

Burkina Faso, Uganda, Kenya, )

Shorter courses given in: Uganda, Tanzania, Hungary, Rwanda and Tanzania (universities/conferences), China

Total no. participants taught in Africa since 2006: ca. 600

Nationalities Trained

�Kenya Uganda

�Tanzania Sudan

�Cameroon Ethiopia

�Zimbabwe Senegal�Zimbabwe Senegal

�Sudan Nigeria

�Botswana

�Ghana

�South Africa

�Malawi

�D.R. Congo

Part of the university curriculum at: Aarhus University, Denmark, University of Szeged,Hungary

Course credentials

An accredited MSc & PhD course at all universities in the European Community (4 ECT units)

Part of TCC Portfolio� ICIPE

� ICRAF

� UON

� MASINDE MULIRO UNIV

� KWS

� WRP

� CDC

� GERTRUDE GARDENS HOSPITAL

� IDRC

� KEFRI

� KARI

� STRATHMORE UNIV

� IITA� CDC

� OBAFEMI ALOWO UNIV

� UNIV OF LAGOS

� UNIV OF PORT HARCOURT

� KEMRI-UNITRID

� MAKARERE UNIV

� CHF INTERNATIONAL

� KEMRI

� ASARECA

� IITA

� FAO

� NMK

� KHPCA

� NAIROBI HOSPICE

� MINISTRY OF LIVESTOCK

� UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES-SALAAM

� ILRI

African participants trained since 2006

�636 participants from 11 African Countries from 59 Institutes (Universities, National & International research institutes and International research institutes and programmes)

Århus University 1999-2005: 85% rated this course in the top 20% of all courses taken

Makerere University, Oct 2006: 56% "excellent", 36% "very good"

Participant ratings

56% "excellent", 36% "very good"

Univ.NBO, Dec 2010: 64% "excellent", 36% "very good"

75% of the participants both in Europe or Africa claim that “I have got more out of the course than I had expected”.

4-8 April Scientific Communication and Publishing, 5-day course, Univ. NBO (DONE)

6-8 June - Proposal writing and grant management Oral Communication and How to design effective scientific posters, short courses

TCC program in 2011

15-19 August- Scientific Communication and Publishing, 5-day course, Univ. NBO

October – Graphical methods for data analysis ,How to use the R programme and How to write a Scientific paper, Reference management, e-Libraries (by ITOCA), short courses

December - Scientific Communication and Publishing, 5 day course, Univ. NBO

Future plans

�Training scientists to communicate with, policy makers, media &legislators in partnership with University College of London

�Begin and sponsor work study programme�Begin and sponsor work study programmefor TCC staff and volunteers

�Resource Book Distribution on Scientific and Science Communication

�TCC-Awarding programme

Joy Owango, TCC Manager

For further information, contact:

Joy Owango, TCC ManagerUniversity of Nairobi, School of Biological Sciences

Tel: +254 (020) 8086820Mobile: +254 (0)733 792316

P.O. Box 21553- 00100GPO Nairobi, Kenyawww.tcc-africa.org