Strengthening Public Engagement with Science: SFA Foundation/PES management team visit at MARCAD Plus Secretariat

The Public Engagement with Science(PES) Programme Manager of the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation), Mrs Naigaga Lillian Mutengu and her team composed of Mr. John Njogu Njoroge and Mr. Charles Ogejo Onyango, paid a visit, from 21st to 22nd May to MARCAD Plus secretariat at the University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar Senegal (UCAD).

The SFA Foundation /PES team visit to MARCAD Plus Secretariat is part of the implementation and reinforcement of the SFA Public Engagement with Science strategies in the 14 programmes supported by Science for Africa Foundation.

The two-day visit also presented an opportunity to discuss ways to enhance PES as a field of practice in research.

Mrs Naigaga Lillian Mutengu explained the concept of Public Engagement with science which according to her must not be confused with science communication.

« Public Engagement with Science is an approach that seeks to bridge the gap between science and society through intentional, meaningful, conversations among publics and scientists for mutual learning and shared decision-making » According to the SFA Foundation.

MARCAD Plus Director Prof Oumar Gaye in his presentation, made an overview of UCAD-MARCAD Public Engagement with Science activities.

The MARCAD/UCAD research sites with PES activities such as the training Center of Keur Soce, the HDSS and the LEVP laboratory was presented by Dr Ousmane SY (Research associate), Ekoue Kouevidjin (MARCADPlus programme Manager) and Prof Magatte NDIAYE (member of the Training Programme team of MARCAD Plus).

The MEAL approach to the Public Engagement with Science Programme was also presented during the 2^nd day of the visit by Mr. Charles Ogejo Onyango.

At the end of the presentation sessions, SFA Foundation team visited the MARCAD Plus offices at UCAD, the Parasitology-Mycology Department at the Faculty of Medicine, and the DIVAC (Direction du Centre d’Incubation, de Vulgarisation et d’Appui aux Communautés) of the rectorate. The team also paid a courtesy to the Diector of Research at UCAD, Prof Babacar Faye

During the second day, intense discussions strengthen the importance of collaboration with the PES programme and the key aspects of the plan MARCAD Plus will elaborate in the domain. Prof Safi Doumbo MRTC MARCAD Plus PI in Mali joined on line and gave an overview of the PES policy in her institution.  Examples of PES in UoY1 Cameroun with the Fobang Foundation and in UHAS Ghana were also shared.

The team had the opportunity to meet the OPT SMC group led by Prof Jean Louis Ndiaye, MARCAD M&E officer, during their workshop which gathered 15 NMCP officers coming from West & Central Africa. Prof Gaye and Lilian reinforce with them in the presence of TDR WHO & Malaria Medicine Venture (MMV) representatives the importance of Public Engagement in Science