Merck Foundation recognizes best African women researchers and best young African researchers
Merck Foundation yesterday held a ceremony to reward 13 winners of best African Women Researchers and best Young African Researchers of MARS Awards 2021. The ceremony was held in partnership with the African Union, through videoconference.
13 winners from 8 African countries were recognized for their valuable research work and contribution to empowering women and youth in STEM.
“I am very proud of all 13 winners who have been recognized under the 3 categories of ‘Best African Women Researchers Award’, ‘Best Young African Researcher Award’, ‘Best Young African Researcher Special Awards’ for their valuable contribution, especially by African Female Scientists who are under presented in this field. Through Merck Foundation African Research Summit – MARS Awards, we aim to empower African young researchers & women researchers, advancing their research capacity and promote their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)”. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of MARS Summit said.
The award ceremony was also attended by Dr. Ahmed Hamdy, Executive Director, African Union - Scientific, Technical and Research Commission; Prof. Andrew Kambugu, The Sande-McKinnell Executive Director at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda, and Prof. Elijah Songkok, Professor, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Kenya.
“I congratulate all the worthy winners of MARS Awards 2021. This is a very valuable platform for African women and young African researchers who are engaged and interested in health research”. Dr. Ahmed Hamdy, Executive Director, African Union - Scientific, Technical and Research Commission, said.
The winners of ‘Best African women Researchers Award’ and ‘Best Young African Researcher Award’ category will be enrolled into research training at a premier research institute in India.
At the same time, Merck Foundation announced the Call for Applications for MARS Awards 2022.
‘The Role of Scientific Research in responding to Cancer and Vaccines Development – Two emerging challenges in Africa’ will be the key focus of this year. Eventually, through this contest, Merck Foundation aims to empower young African researchers & women researchers to strengthen the important role research plays towards contributing to public health thus improving healthcare capacity in Africa”, added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.
