In a bid to bolster research capacity for Research Training Center (RTC) affiliated with the WHO- Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), the Center for Tropical Medicine recently concluded a successful inauguration workshop for Monitoring and Evaluation for Research Capacity Strenthening Activities (MERCSA). The initiative aimed to equip trainers and RTC members with essential tools to evaluate and enhance research capacity building activities, a vital mission within the global health research landscape.
Hosted by the Center of Tropical Medicine at Gadjah Mada University, the workshop brought together facilitators and participants to delve into the intricacies of M&E frameworks tailored for research capacity trainings. Adapting from the initial training format from ISGlobal Barcelona, the workshop incorporated both interactive lectures as well as active group discussions.
Led by esteemed facilitators including Dr. Adi Nugroho, Dr. Jonathan Hasian Haposan, and Dr. Ardhina Ramania, the workshop spanned two days, focusing on key components such as goals and objectives, the results chain, indicators, data management, and data quality assessment.
The first session, graced by Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad, Director of the Center for Tropical Medicine, set the tone for the workshop’s collaborative atmosphere. Participants engaged in interactive lectures, case studies, and group activities, fostering lively discussions and knowledge exchange.
Dr. Ardhina Ramania spearheaded the exploration of goals and objectives, guiding participants in crafting clear objectives for their respective courses. The subsequent session, led by Dr. Adi Nugroho, delved into the intricacies of indicators, prompting participants to define and apply them within their frameworks.
Day two commenced with a comprehensive review of the preceding day’s materials, setting the stage for deep dives into data management and quality assessment, spearheaded by Dr. Haposan. Participants were then tasked with finalizing their MERCSA frameworks before presenting them to their peers and facilitators.
Reflecting on the workshop’s outcomes, participants lauded its interactivity and the structured allocation of session time. Notable feedback highlighted the workshop’s effectiveness in enhancing understanding and application of M&E frameworks.
Looking ahead, organizers plan to incorporate online materials adapted to local context to augment future workshops, responding to participant suggestions for enhanced pre-workshop preparation. Also, this year the Center for Tropical Medicine aims to conduct more MERCSA workshops involving participants outside of the RTC in hope to further escalate research capacity strengthening activities. In the long run, organizers are hopeful that MERCSA workshop will help stakeholders to objectively measure research trainings and its impact to global health.
Byline: RTC UGM, Staff Reporter
Yogyakarta, Indonesia –