Elite Talent Cultivation Program – Short-Term Project-Based learning courses: NTU-LIN-Mzuni Workshop
Elite Talent Cultivation Program – Short-Term Project-Based learning courses
NTU-LIN-Mzuni Workshop
The Elite Talent Cultivation Program, sponsored by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and coordinated by the National Taiwan University (NTU) Office of International Affairs, is designed to foster academic exchange between NTU and universities or colleges in African countries, with the goal of cultivating potential talent in the region. Additionally, the NTU Global Health Program plays a key role in designing and offering short-term project-based learning courses, which include both online courses and on-site courses, such as the NTU-LIN-Mzuni Workshop.
On August 12, 2024, NTU Global Health Program (GHP) organized an impactful workshop on Global Health Project Planning and Implementation at Mzuzu University (Mzuni) in Malawi. This full-day event was a collaborative effort between NTU, Mzuni, and Luke International (LIN), with NTU GHP’s Adjunct Assistant Professor Sally Chen serving as the lead instructor. The workshop aimed to equip participants with practical skills in designing, implementing, and evaluating global health projects, seamlessly blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on activities to ensure that the learning could be applied to real-world scenarios.
Participants who completed online courses received certificates of completion, while participants who attended the on-site workshop received certificates of attendance from NTU GHP.
Fourteen attendees from across Malawi participated in the workshop, with some traveling from as far as southern regions like Mangochi Township, which required multiple bus transfers to reach Mzuzu City. Others came from central Malawi towns such as Dowa and Kasungu, involving a five-hour drive. The participants brought diverse backgrounds, including public health, nursing, and business management. Among them were graduate students, working professionals from NGOs, government agencies, academia, and healthcare facilities, as well as individuals balancing both study and work. Despite their varied experiences, they all shared a strong interest in global health, and their active engagement in discussions, presentations, and Q&A sessions was instrumental to the workshop’s success.
Dr. Sally Chen introducing National Taiwan University, College of Public Health, and Global Health Program.
The day began with Sally introducing NTU’s College of Public Health and the GHP, providing detailed information on the application process, and requirements for Master’s and PhD degrees. She also introduced the research expertise of GHP faculty. Following this, she guided participants through the three key components of the project cycle: design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Participants were then divided into groups of three or four to develop goals, objectives, and activities for their proposed global health projects. The project topics proposed by attendees included kidney diseases across Malawi, HIV infection in Zomba City, cervical cancer in Blantyre City, and bilharzia, a common parasitic worm infection transmitted through snails near the shores of Lake Malawi, in Mangochi Township.
In the afternoon, each group created implementation plans that included strategies such as immunization training for health workers, awareness campaigns, and risk factor identification through qualitative and quantitative research. Sally then provided an in-depth introduction to M&E. Participants worked on logistic frameworks, identifying indicators, means of verification, and potential risks for the impact, outcomes, and outputs of their projects.
Participants engaged in lively discussion during the workshop.
Throughout the workshop, groups presented their ideas, receiving feedback and suggestions from their peers, Sally, and a panel of experts including Prof. Baxter Chirambo and Dr. Feresta Mpasa from Mzuni’s Nursing Department, as well as Isaac Ndemera from LIN. The lively discussions sparked new ideas, and participants were quick to integrate the feedback to refine their project plans.
In closing, Sally emphasized the importance of the skills practiced during the workshop, noting that project planning and implementation are transferable skills applicable beyond global health. This sentiment was echoed by both Prof. Chirambo and Dr. Mpasa, reinforcing the value of the workshop in building practical, versatile skills for the participants. Attendees expressed appreciation for the practicality of the workshop and the high level of participant involvement throughout the activities.
Group photo of all the attendees.
The NTU-LIN-Mzuni workshop stands as a testament to the power of cross-institutional collaboration in addressing global health challenges. Through the efforts of NTU’s Global Health Program, Mzuzu University, and Luke International, participants left the workshop not only with enhanced skills but also with a renewed commitment to advancing public health in their communities. The success of this workshop reflects NTU GHP’s ongoing dedication to fostering global health leaders and underscores the program’s impact on the international stage.