The training held from February 6th to 8th, 2024, aimed at enhancing the skills of 22 attendees, including 8 from the Ministry of Health, and participants from MRCG at LSHTM. The workshop underscored MRCG at LSHTM's dedication to enhancing healthcare practices in The Gambia by empowering medical professionals with essential skills.The three-day workshop sought to equip participants with the necessary tools and expertise, for both professional and personal career advancement in health research. Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, attendees gained valuable insights into effective grant writing, mentorship strategies, and leadership in global health research programs.

Professor Assan Jaye, Head of Research Training and Career Development at MRCG at LSHTM, emphasised the significance of such a workshop, towards filling the gap in professional development opportunities for researchers, in the field of health in The Gambia.

"We organised this workshop to provide experiences and skill sets necessary for the professional and personal career development of PhD students and post-doctoral fellows. Additionally, we included research participants from the Department of Research, at the Ministry of Health to enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange, among stakeholders in health research” he said.

Prof Jaye added; “The workshop is a bespoke training on transferable skills including mentorship and guidance that will help participants to grow their confidence and understand their professional path; build good leadership qualities and styles; build their research niche and skills for writing proposals, attracting funding and writing manuscripts for publications.”

The Ministry of Health’s Director of Health Research, Sainey Sanneh, expressed gratitude to MRCG at LSHTM.  “MRCG at LSHTM has maintained a longstanding partnership with the Ministry, and this workshop offers a unique chance for us to bolster our research capabilities. Engaging in workshops like these not only strengthens our capabilities but also underscores the promising future for research development at the Ministry" said Mr Sanneh.

Marème Diallo, a Postdoctoral Researcher at MRCG at LSHTM, spoke on the profound significance of the workshop stating, "as a research institution, MRCG at LSHTM is deeply committed to nurturing the growth of young researchers. Personally, as I transition into a Principal Investigator role, this workshop not only facilitates the refinement of my leadership skills but also heightens my awareness of potential attitudes or factors that may challenge my aspiration to excel as a leader."

In addition to supporting national institutions such as the Department of Research, Ministry of Health, MRCG at LSHTM is a Centre of Excellence for scientific research with a vision to lead health research to save lives and improve health across the world.