Andia Biraro Irene, Driciru Emmanuella, Namaganda Rehema, Luboga Fiona, Kato Drago Charles, Wajja Anne, Okech Brenda, Mboowa Mary Gorrethy N, Muganyizi Raymond, Kizza Moses, Cose Stephen, Bukirwa Victoria Diana, Nakanjako Damalie, Elliott Alison M
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.
AAS Open Res. 2021 Mar 16;3:37. doi: 10.12688/aasopenres.13091.2. eCollection 2020.
The Makerere University Research Training Programme in Infection and Immunity (MUII) mentorship programme began 11 years ago with a successful group mentorship model. Over the years, the programme has evolved and is presently anchored on the "GROW" approach. This model allows individuals to: set Goals (What I want?); Reflect (Where am I now?); think of Options (What can I do?); What to implement (my actions?). It is intended to help fellows (current, honorary, alumni) herein referred to as mentees achieve their short, medium, and long-term research, career and professional goals. A mixed methods study combining a cross-sectional survey, one focus group discussion and 11 in-depth key informant interviews were carried out between November 2018 and January 2019 to 1) assess the status of the mentorship programme, 2) perform a strength weakness opportunity and threats (SWOT) analysis, and 3) identify factors relevant for sustainability. An open invitation was made to 52 fellows to participate in the survey, and 23 responded. Among respondents, the largest proportions were male [70% (16/23)], and PhD fellows [35% (8/23)]. The respondents rated the fellowship experience as excellent [65% (15/23)], and most [78% (18/23)] revealed they had benefitted greatly from the programme. The SWOT analysis revealed outstanding strengths of having regular fellows' meetings for peer support, and availability of international collaborations, linkages and exposure. Opportunities identified included large pool of mentees within MUII-plus and evidence of fellows taking up leadership positions. The biggest weakness that also presented as a threat to the mentorship programme was the busy schedule of mentors. The MUII-plus mentorship programme has strong potential to offer research and career mentorship to its fellows. To promote sustainability of the programme, there is a need for innovative ways to engage mentors; such as digital platforms (e-mentorship) for greater mentor-mentee interactions.
马凯雷雷大学感染与免疫研究培训项目（MUII）的导师计划始于11年前，采用了成功的团体指导模式。多年来，该计划不断发展，目前以“成长”方法为基础。这种模式让个人能够：设定目标（我想要什么？）；反思（我现在在哪里？）；思考选择（我能做什么？）；实施什么（我的行动？）。其目的是帮助在此称为学员的研究员（现任、名誉、校友）实现他们的短期、中期和长期研究、职业和专业目标。2018年11月至2019年1月期间，开展了一项混合方法研究，结合横断面调查、一次焦点小组讨论和11次深入的关键信息人访谈，以1）评估导师计划的现状，2）进行优势、劣势、机会和威胁（SWOT）分析，3）确定与可持续性相关的因素。向52名研究员发出了参与调查的公开邀请，23人作出了回应。在受访者中，男性比例最大[70%（16/23）]，博士研究员[35%（8/23）]。受访者将研究员经历评为优秀[65%（15/23）]，大多数[78%（18/23）]表示他们从该计划中受益匪浅。SWOT分析显示，该计划具有显著优势，包括定期举行研究员会议以提供同伴支持，以及有国际合作、联系和交流机会。确定的机会包括MUII-plus内部有大量学员，以及有研究员担任领导职务的证据。对导师计划构成威胁的最大弱点是导师日程繁忙。MUII-plus导师计划有很大潜力为其研究员提供研究和职业指导。为促进该计划的可持续性，需要创新方式来吸引导师参与；例如通过数字平台（电子指导）加强导师与学员之间的互动。
