A PRESENTATION ON IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH COMMUNICATION AND TCC'S INPUT MADE AT THE WEST AFRICAN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ASSOCIATION (WARIMA), WORKSHOP AT OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY (OAU), ILE-IFE NIGERIA

1. The Importance of Research
Communication and Training Centre in
Communication’s Input
By
Joy Owango
University of Nairobi, School of Biological Sciences
P.O.Box 21553-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

2. What is TCC?
The first African-based Training Centre to teach
effective communication skills
Base: University of Nairobi, College of Physical
and Biological Sciences, Chiromo Campus,
Nairobi, Kenya
In association with: University of Nairobi,
School of Biological Sciences

3. Why TCC?
We live in a world of science
Disconnect in communication between
scientists and mass media
Open to all fields of science at a
postgraduate level
Access to information and resources

4. TCC mission
To contribute to the increase in profile,
locally, and internationally, of African
science, and its impact on the life of
Africans, by improving skills in technical
communication in all forms, at academia
and other relevant forums, in the East
African countries .

5. TCC organisation
A non-profit organisation (trust) registered
in Kenya
Office: Univ. Nairobi, Chiromo Campus
Advisory Committee: 9 scientists in East
Africa + Denmark, at national universities
(KE, TZ, UG), research institutions &
international organisations

6. TCC personnel
Director of Training
Dr. Gabor L. Lovei, Senior Scientist, Aarhus University, Denmark,
Centre Manager
Ms. Joy Owango, Communications Consultant, Journalist
Trainers
1. Mr. Tonny Omwansa- ICT for Development Specialist
2. Dr Robai Gakunga-Palliative Care Research Consultant
3. Ms Anne Nyamu, Science Editor-Consultant
4. Dr. Gabor L. Lovei, Senior Scientist, Aarhus University, Denmark
5. Dr. Szabolcs Lengyel, Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology,
University of Debrecen, Hungary
6. Ms. Joy Owango, Communications Consultant, Journalist

7. TCC activity
Holding intensive, 5-day courses
Holding short courses (parts of the "long"
one)
Training local trainers
Offering short training courses at conferences

8. Advisory Committee
Prof.Thure Pavlo Hauser – Copenhagen University
Prof. C. Borgemeister – DG ICIPE
Prof. Lucy Irungu – DVC Research &Development
University of Nairobi
Prof J Ntiba- PS Ministry of Fisheries, Kenya
Dr Elijah Akunda-Director , School of Biological
Sciences, Chiromo campus,UON
Prof Fredrick Onyango- Fmr Vice Chancellor
Maseno University
Dr. Masoud Muruke, -University of Dar Es Salaam;
Dr. Muchai Muchane, National Museums of Kenya
Prof J. Obua- Makerere University

9. Scientific Communication and Publishing
A training course by the Training Centre in
Communication (TCC), Nairobi, Kenya

10. Course characteristics
A substantial (42-h long), concentrated course,
equivalent to a full-semester 2h/week
course
Runs for 5 full days (early morning- late
afternoon)
Max. 35 participants - to ensure lots of
personal interaction, participation and
discussion

11. Mind map of the full course

12. At the end of the course, the participants are
expected to know (1/2):
Basic note-taking and learning skills
The main types of publications, and how to assess their quality,
how to decide about a suitable forum for one's work
The basics of scientometrics
How to write a primary scientific paper, a review paper, a
conference proceedings paper, a book chapter, and other types of
short publications
How to use graphical tools to analyse data and present technical
evidence, how to construct tables and figures
How to submit, handle and revise manuscripts, the publication
process from submission to final publication

13. At the end of the course, the participants are
expected to know (2/2):
To prepare an oral presentation for different audiences, how
to effectively deliver it
To design and prepare a poster for scientific conferences
How to participate at scientific conferences and how to
interact with their peers
What are the necessary criteria for a good proposal, and
how to maximise chances of success when applying for funds
How to effectively manage a funded project
Legal and ethical obligations in research and publication

14. Course credentials
The long course has been given: in 7
countries (Denmark, Hungary, Italy, China,
Burkina Faso, Uganda, Kenya, )
Shorter courses given in: Uganda, Tanzania,
Hungary, Rwanda and Tanzania
(universities/conferences), China
Total no. participants taught in Africa since
2006: ca. 600

15. Nationalities Trained
Kenya Uganda
Tanzania Sudan
Cameroon Ethiopia
Zimbabwe Senegal
Sudan Nigeria
Botswana
Ghana
South Africa
Malawi
D.R. Congo

16. Course credentials
Part of the university curriculum at: Aarhus
University, Denmark, University of Szeged,
Hungary
An accredited MSc & PhD course at all universities in
the European Community (4 ECT units)

17. Part of TCC Portfolio
ICIPE GERTRUDE GARDENS
ICRAF HOSPITAL
UON IDRC
MASINDE MULIRO UNIV KEFRI
KWS KARI
WRP STRATHMORE UNIV
CDC IITA
OBAFEMI ALOWO UNIV FAO
UNIV OF LAGOS NMK
UNIV OF PORT KHPCA
HARCOURT NAIROBI HOSPICE
KEMRI-UNITRID MINISTRY OF
MAKARERE UNIV LIVESTOCK
CHF INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES-
KEMRI SALAAM
ASARECA ILRI

18. African participants trained
since 2006
636 participants from 11 African Countries
from 59 Institutes (Universities, National &
International research institutes and
programmes)

19. Participant ratings
Århus University 1999-2005:
85% rated this course in the top 20% of all courses taken
Makerere University, Oct 2006:
56% "excellent", 36% "very good"
Univ.NBO, Dec 2010:
64% "excellent", 36% "very good"
75% of the participants both in Europe or Africa claim
that “I have got more out of the course than I had
expected”.

20. TCC program in 2011
4-8 April Scientific Communication and Publishing, 5-day
course, Univ. NBO (DONE)
6-8 June - Proposal writing and grant management Oral
Communication and How to design effective scientific
posters, short courses
15-19 August- Scientific Communication and Publishing, 5-day
course, Univ. NBO
October – Graphical methods for data analysis ,How to use the R
programme and How to write a Scientific paper, Reference
management, e-Libraries (by ITOCA), short courses
December - Scientific Communication and Publishing, 5 day
course, Univ. NBO

21. Future plans
Training scientists to communicate with,
policy makers, media &legislators in
partnership with University College of
London
Begin and sponsor work study programme
for TCC staff and volunteers
Resource Book Distribution on Scientific
and Science Communication
TCC-Awarding programme

22. For further information, contact:
Joy Owango, TCC Manager
University of Nairobi, School of Biological Sciences
Tel: +254 (020) 8086820
Mobile: +254 (0)733 792316
P.O. Box 21553- 00100
GPO Nairobi, Kenya
www.tcc-africa.org