Kampala [Uganda]/ Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 6 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit - MARS 2021 Awards ceremony, in partnership with the African Union, through videoconference to felicitate the 13 winners from 8 African countries, for their valuable research work and contribution to empowering women and youth in STEM.
On the occasion, Senator, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of MARS Summit expressed "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)." 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. Dr Ahmed Hamdy, Executive Director, African Union - Scientific, Technical and Research Commission, emphasized, "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." 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. "I am also excited to announce the Call for Applications for our prestigious Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (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. The MARS 2021 Award Winners are; Winners of "MARS Best African Women Researchers Awards" Regina Wachuka Mbugua, KENYA Temitope Adeyemo, NIGERIA Ebele Onuigbo, NIGERIA Beatrice MukamiMuriuki, KENYA Njua Clarisse, CAMEROON Winners of "MARS Best Young African Researchers Awards" Touwendpoulimde Isabelle Kiendrebeogo, BURKINA FASO Jude Ogechukwu Okoye, NIGERIA Jean-Paul Ngbolua Koto-Te-Nyiwa, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Winners of "MARS Best Young African Researchers Special Awards" Jean Claude Djontu, CAMEROON Jason KilembeThambwe, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Okedi Francis Xaviour, UGANDA Marceline DjuidjeNgounoue, CAMEROON Oppah Kuguyo, ZIMBABWE Details for MARS AWARDS 2022 Abstracts are invited from final year African PhD students and young investigators involved in research related to either of the following topics: 1) Cancer (specially in women) & 2) Vaccines Development. The applicants should be primarily based at African Research Institutes and Universities, although collaboration within Africa as well as outside is encouraged. Last Date of Submission: Applications can be submitted till 31st July 2022 How to apply: Applications can be submitted via email to mars@merck-foundation.com along with a CV (including Name, Gender, Country, University/Hospital Name, Email address, Mobile Number) and the abstract document as an attachment. Other Details: All Abstracts will be peer reviewed, and 15 winners will be eligible for a sponsorship to attend MARS Summit Best three Abstracts will be eligible for Research Awards Research Awards will be also dedicated for Best African Women Researchers Click on the link below to Download Merck Foundation App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.merck.foundation&hl=en Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard Facebook: Merck Foundation Twitter: @Merckfoundation YouTube: MerckFoundation Instagram: Merck Foundation Flickr: Merck Foundation Website: www.merck-foundation.com This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
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