Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) have today embarked on a four-day adventure of integrating RCCE competencies and principles in curricula in the Faculty of Science. Over 10 senior faculty, including the current and past deans are attending the workshop, held at Lake view Resort Hotel, in Mbarara. They are from the departments of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, and Foundations of Education.
Professor Julius Leju, immediate former Dean of the Faculty of Science said that they were all excited to be a part of this journey of integrating OH in the curricula.
He noted that this is an opportune moment for integration of RCCE, as several existing curricula are due for review.
He noted in order to impact people more effectively, science disciplines have got to think about One Health. “Whatever we do we must be focusing on how we are impacting the community; OH is a key area that can enable all fields impact health and contribute to community development. We are grateful to AFROHUN for giving us the opportunity to be part of this and contribute to complex global health and development issues. Learning from COVID-19, we realise that we are all needed to address some of these issues. We have been teaching a lot of key issues without thinking how they link to others and the knowledge from OH is key in building our capacity; issues like SGD 3, Vision 2040, etc. we have a contribution to make to all these”, he said.
Ms. Christine Muhumuza, the AFROHUN One Health Academy Coordinator took the participants through the courses and opportunities that exist at the Academy and urged them to take the course on offer to build their capacity and competency to deliver One Health curricula.
“For the last 15 years, AFROHUN developed so many products, including SOHICs and other innovations and programs. It is now necessary to come up with the AFROHUN OH Academy which is an institution accredited by the UNCHE and has other pillars other than training. COP, Research, SOHICs, etc. There are many training programs that benefit many including in-service. Post graduate diplomas in pandemic preparedness, RCCE and other areas, bachelors degrees and certificate programs (African people and their cultures) – the last one is available and one can pace their learning and can be accessed at USD 215”, she emphasized.
She also called upon the faculty to offer themselves to mentor those in need of having their capacity developed in One Health.
The AFROHUN Chief Executive Officer, Professor William Bazeyo noted that the RCCE integration exercise is about planning for the future of people who will be generation away from the current one, saying that “the curriculum you used as you studied is no longer fit for purpose. So the OH that you are bringing in is very critical and needed. Your are at the level of parliamentarian but working on things that will impact people who are going to be leaders in the next few years. The exercise is challenging because you have to think through what needs to be revised. For you to put in change and ensure that things make sense, you have to know them well. You are thinking for many people who are not here today; you are the cream”, he said.
He noted that while many may dismiss the sciences as not relevant to One Health issues, mathematics has helped solve issues in COVID-19 and in HIV; bringing mathematics in OH is very important. Mathematical models have been important in management of diseases and responding to outbreaks.
He also implored the participating faculty to take up the courses on offer by the AFROHUN One Health Academy. He committed to support mobilization of funds for more One Health He thanked USAID that has supported AFROHUN for the last 15 years.
The AFROHUN Uganda Country Manager, Ms. Angella Musewa appreciate the ever positive response from MUST staff that has enabled the institution move fast in One Health integration and institutionalization, adding that the institutions approach of targeting existing programs fosters sustainability.
Participants were taken through the curriculum development and integration process for Competency Based Training. This session was delivered by Mr. Benard Jjanja – a curriculum development expert based at the Uganda National Curriculum Development Centre.
Participants then worked in department groups to identify courses and areas where RCCE competencies and principles can be integrated, after which they shared their results in a plenary session. Several interesting areas were identified and discussed. The next three days will see more work in groups as teams do the actual integration.
This work is funded by the USAID through the Transition Award to AFROHUN.