Directorate of Research & Innovation:
Research is one of the core functions of CUHAS. This is embodied within the mission of the institution in which the University pledges to be “a centre of excellence providing high quality education, research and services in the field of health sciences”. Research in an institution of higher learning, such as CUHAS, serves many purposes that relate to Training, Services Provision to Society and Human Resource Development. The award system for research accomplishments has been revised and greatly improved. The Institution requires all members of the academic staff and students to be involved in research activities at several levels of their training and professional career. The CUHAS small pool of researchers is relatively young and enthusiastic which attracts collaborative projects and enhancement of the research capacity and capability.
One of the criteria for promotion includes the publication of research work in peer-reviewed journals. Consequently, the Directorate of Research and Publication was established to promote and oversee the research activities at the University.
The Directorate is headed by a Director who, among other activities, chairs the joint CUHAS/Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) Research Ethics and Review Committee. The Committee is composed of 17 members representing basic and clinical sciences, as well as legal, laic and religious matters. This committee has the mandate to review all proposals for research to be carried out at CUHAS and BMC so that they conform to the National Guidelines on conducting Health Research and the Joint CUHAS/BMC Research Policy formulated in 2011 and revised in 2015. It also oversees the organization of an annual Graduation Scientific Conference.
The University developed a Research Policy to provide researchers at CUHAS and BMC with sufficient information about research services, policies, procedures, project management and general guidelines on the conduct of research activities in Tanzania. CUHAS focuses on research projects that will help solve health problems prevailing within the local, national and global communities while conforming to the national objectives.
Prof. Jeremiah Seni
ProfessorProf. Seni has over 15 years of clinical, research and leadership experience in the fields of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Global Health, with specific focuses on establishing IPC, AMS and AMR Surveillance systems; and mitigating epidemics, pandemics and other infectious diseases of Public Health importance within and across countries. His key contributions include the:
1. Development and implementation of the Tanzania NAP-AMR (2017-2022, and 2023-2028).He serves in many national technical committees including, the National AMS TWGChairperson, member of the National Multisectoral Coordinating Committee on AMR,
member of the National One Health TWG, and member of the National Biosafety and
Biosecurity TWG.
2. Development of the Integrated AMR Surveillance for Africa Region (2024); and many other key regional documents on AMR, AMS and IPC. Provision of technical support in these key strategic areas to foster implementation in Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and other ECSA countries.
3. Development of the WHO Global AMR Research Agenda in the human health sector (2023)
He is a seasoned consultant to the WHO, FAO, Africa-CDC, ASLM, ASM, ECSA-HC, USAID and Swiss-TPH.
Prof. Seni has supervised, reviewed and examined research projects and dissertations/theses to over 200 students (at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels in Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and South Africa); and has published over 150 technical reports and peer reviewed research articles. He cherishes track-records in research and clinical collaborations with institutions in Canada, USA, UK, Uganda,
Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Denmark, and Switzerland.
Links: Google Scholar | PubMed | ResearchGate
Dr. Eveline T. Konje
associate DirectorI am a biostastician and epidemiologist working with academic institution (CUHAS) for more than ten years. I have been engaged in different community-based programs such as community mobilization, health needs assessment, health promotion, and mass screening campaigns. I have been teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students for 13 years in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Additionally, I have been supervising more than 40 undergraduate students and 18 postgraduate students working in wide range of research topics such as infectious disease, cervical cancer, quality of life, maternal depression, health care services, medical education to mention a few.