Marcos Vera-Hernández

Despite the huge learning crisis facing SSA countries, it is imperative to recognize and explore the modest, yet discernible progress achieved around education section that can lay the groundwork for more transformative developments. In the article, we explore the key progress and how to deploy implementation science to effectively address education crisis on the continent.

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I am very thrilled to get certificate of recognition for presenting my research work entitled, #BeyondSeizures: #Unveiling_EpilepsyChallenges in #MeinitCommunity, #SouthwestEthiopia: #Insight_from_patients and #Community_members, on #Third_National_SBC_Summit organized by Ethiopian Health Education and Health Promotion professional Association (EHEPA) and Ministry of Health, Ethiopia together with other partners. The findings disclosed widespread misconceptions within the community regarding the causes and transmission of epilepsy. In addition, patients grappled with multifaceted challenges encompassing physical, social, psychological, and economic dimensions, including resorting to begging and inability to afford for medication. The study calls for integrated multilevel interventions to rectify misconceptions and address the diverse challenges epilepsy patients face. By doing so, the potential benefits that these individuals can contribute to society may be maximized. This research serves as a crucial step toward a more comprehensive understanding of epilepsy in this community and informs targeted interventions for improved healthcare and community support, offering a pathway to enhanced well-being and social cohesion.#EHEPA, #MinistryOfHealth_Ethiopia

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#IamAPHRC places topical Afro-centric issues where it matters the most and co-creates context relevant solutions with who matters the most to achieve impact #IAmAPHRC, #AfricaDay, #AfricaResearch, #APHRCResearch.#ImpactfulResearch

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2 weeks of learning on Agent based modelling. The training was informative

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Thankfully many universities are changing tack, focusing on reducing barriers to help-seeking and making space for grown-up conversations. 'Zero tolerance' policies drive issues underground and must be fully abandoned across the sector. The framing of drug problems as health rather than moral issues in the report is very welcome. I sense it reflects a move that is happening anyway in the most corporately reflexive universities, though it's a culture change that must become more deeply embedded. The report is excellent and #recovery gets a mention. Much more work on raising awareness of the presence and value of recovery culture in universities is needed, but this report signals significant movement in the right direction.

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The University of Dar es Salaam and Maynooth University sponsored a workshop today on the Future of Ageing in Africa at the University of Dar es Salaam (organised by Vendelin Simon of USDM and A Jamie Saris of Maynooth University, both Medical Anthropologists). There was a very rich set of papers and  discussions with representatives of universities, NGOs, and government, focussing on the quiet reality of a rapidly expanding population of older people in Tanzania (and Africa more broadly), presenting both challenges and opportunities for everything from the delivery of formal and informal care, to urban and spatial planning, to shaping the relationship(s) between generations. This is an area of global health where there are more similarities than differences between North and South.  According to the latest Tanzanian Census, there are 5 million people over the age of 60 in the country, more than 4% of the population (about the population of the entire Republic of Ireland). This number will more than double (and perhaps as much triple) by 2050. To put this growth into global historical perspective: it took France nearly a century to double its proportion of older people (from 7%-14%), between the early 19th to the early 20th Century. This growth curve is being observed across sub-Saharan Africa, with some UN estimates predicting in excess of a quarter of a billion people over the age of 60 living in in the region by 2050. The Workshop is the beginning of a conversation exploring how sectors, disciplines and stake-holders can leverage strengths and shore up deficits to build a just and equitable social environment for healthy ageing in Africa. Universities are well-placed to make such connections, understand the complexity of ageing within different cultural contexts, and pioneer innovative solutions. University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Maynooth University Maynooth Anthropology Anthropology Society NUI Maynooth @mu_allinstitute

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Great Insights. Take a read

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One year on from moving the BCG vaccine from birth to 28-days old what have those involved made of the experience? Our mixed methods evaluation explores the implementation process and provides recommendations for policy and practice. Read the full article 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/euAkzVqK

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As the African Union continues its pursuit of Agenda 2063, it is crucial to reflect on the progress made, using this reflection to enable more informed decision-making for the future. This policy brief, authored by Dr. Adeoye Akinola, PhD and Ms. Nompumelelo N., titled "African Union at 20: Progress, Problems and Prospects Towards Agenda 2063," seeks to ignite public debate and inspire contributions to the policymaking sphere for issues impacting the realization of Agenda 2063. #TheAfricaWeWant #Agenda2063 #AfricanUnion

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And here is the link to Part 2 of the TV47 discussion on Health and Migration. https://lnkd.in/duAHe8VD

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Are you a researcher or practitioner working on innovative solutions to address healthcare challenges in Africa? We are excited to announce a call for chapter submissions for the upcoming book "Sustainable Healthcare Systems in Africa: Technologies, Practices, and Management," to be published by Routledge in January 2025. This comprehensive volume aims to explore the latest advancements and best practices in sustainable healthcare technologies, management approaches, and policy frameworks tailored to the unique needs of African nations. By contributing your expertise and insights, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the discourse on building resilient, equitable, and climate-resilient healthcare systems across the continent. Alliance for Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing in Africa (AISMA) Université Côte d’Azur GREDEG-CNRS, Université Côte d'Azur eur elmi graduate school of economics management

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It’s now time to build a culture of data collection and management in higher education by harnessing institutional capacity and structure that provides for adequate human resource, integrated data collection & management tools, and effective data access and security measures.

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Data from our research on sexual violence disclosure in 2022 significantly points to the role of religious leaders as gatekeepers for women in Nigeria...

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📰 New Publication "Rapid Assessment of the Need for Evidence: Applying the Principles of Value of Information to Research Prioritisation" with David Glynn, Karl Claxton, Chris Littlewood and Claire Rothery, published in Pharmacoeconomics. In this paper, we propose an approach to rapidly estimate the value of research funding applications and illustrate the use of the rapid #voi method using the #RaCeR2 case study. 📃 https://lnkd.in/eHWWxRME

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I recently wrote a piece on Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s government and promised education reforms that has been published with The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)'s Africa@LSE blog. I discussed the appointment of Moustapha Guirassy as Senegal's Ministre de l’Education nationale and the government’s promise of a “systematic change” in the education system, particularly the integration of local languages into the formal education system. Given past governments' lack of change regarding language policy, I argue that Faye’s promise to integrate local languages--as well as engage more with local communities and refocus on vocational and adult education--represents a shift in Senegalese education policy. However, as others (particularly Marame Gueye and Rama Salla Dieng, PhD) have pointed out, Faye’s government has sidelined women in decision-making positions and eliminated the Ministry of Women. In order for Faye's government to truly create "systematic change" and reform the education sector, the government must create policies that address inequalities (especially gender inequalities) in the current system. #Senegal #Education #Educationpolicy #History https://lnkd.in/ev6CEemh

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Read my new piece in Africa In Fact Issue 70 for Good Governance Africa. 🌍

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#OurNewPublication The future of public health doctoral education in Africa: transforming higher education institutions to enhance research and practice Abstract The African Union and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Call to Action in 2022 for Africa's New Public Health Order that underscored the need for increased capacity in the public health workforce. Additional domestic and global investments in public health workforce development are central to achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063 of the African Union, which aims to build and accelerate the implementation of continental frameworks for equitable, people-centred growth and development. Recognising the crucial role of higher education and research, we assessed the capabilities of public health doctoral training in schools and programmes of public health in Africa across three conceptual components: instructional, institutional, and external. Six inter-related and actionable recommendations were derived to advance doctoral training, research, and practice capacity within and between universities. These can be achieved through equitable partnerships between universities, research centres, and national, regional, and global public health institutions.

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At the Inspire AGM. Round table discussion: Promoting Data use and Data Science in Africa.

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Time for another RAM Colloquium! We are looking forward to host Ruth Neville (University of Liverpool) for a talk on modelling 'international student applications into UK higher education'! Topic: From past patterns to future prospects: understanding international student applications into UK higher education Time and venue: Friday, 17 May 2024, 10am CEST; GBIII/517 and online on Zoom (hybrid) Registration via: https://lnkd.in/eAugeHwA The Zoom link will be shared with all registered participants closer to the event. Abstract: International student mobility is a key part of the UK higher education sector. My PhD research examines past, present, and future trends in student applications. The first paper presented employs a multi-level negative binomial model to analyse factors influencing applications from 2009–2019. The second paper that I present investigates Brexit and COVID-19 impacts using difference-in-difference and regression frameworks. Finally, I compare forecasting methods and explore machine learning techniques to predict future applications. These insights shed light on how demographic, political, and economic changes may shape international student mobility in the UK. Overall, my research provides a comprehensive understanding of international student applications and their future trajectory. Speaker bio: Ruth Neville is a PhD student at the Geographic Data Science Lab (GDSL) at the University of Liverpool and is currently a visiting researcher at the Digital and Computational Demography Lab at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR). Her research sits at the intersection of spatial data science, population geography, and demography. Ruth is particularly interested in the influences and patterns of human mobility and how mobility responds to external shocks and policy changes.

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