13 Mar 2014

The Institute of Health Sciences (IHS) recently held its second biennial research conference for affiliated health training institutions at the Majestic Five Hotel in Palapye.

Giving a background of the research conference, the principal of IHS Serowe, Ms Tebogo Gwaila said the idea of a research conference was first mooted in 2009 at a meeting between principals and the then director.

She said the first conference was held in Gaborone in 2009, at which the principals agreed that the research conference would  be held every two years. “The purpose of this research conference is to build research capacity amongst staff in our health training institutions. We want to enhance staff and students’ input in the global information pool,” she said.

For her part, Dr Felicitous Zawaira, a World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, said the conference was made possible by the government of Botswana through the Ministry of Health (MOH).

She said the conference would combine the eight health training institutions based in Serowe, Francistown, Gaborone, Molepolole, Mochudi, Kanye, Ramotswa and Lobatse.

“This conference will provide a platform for all to deliberate and share ideas in the research arena. The vision 2016 pillar of an educated and informed nation demands that teachers and students in health institutions be actively involved in research in order to inform students locally, regionally and globally,” she said.

The presentations commenced soon after the opening ceremony under the sub-themes; quality in higher education, caring and ethics, human resource management issues in higher learning institutions, innovative approaches in teaching and learning, health informatics, evidence based practice, teaching and learning and social accountability. The conference ended on March 13. Ends