Research undertaking is one of the core pillars of St. Paul Institute for Reproductive Health and Rights (SPIRHR). Various trainings are organized to build and strengthen research capacity of faculties at SPHMMC particularly at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The recent Qualitative Research Methods and Grant Writing and Management Workshop was organized in collaboration with the Center for International Reproductive Health Training at the University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM). This training workshop is the first to be organized after SPIRHR was accredited as Continuing Processional Development (CPD) provider.
The workshop was conducted October 4-6, 2021 with official opening by Dr Tesfaye Hurissa SPIHR, Director along with the introduction of the workshop facilitator, Dr Julie Buser from CIRHT-UM, USA. A total of 17 participants from five institutions; namely, Haramaya University, Jimma University, Debre Tabor University, Hawassa University, and SPHMMC attended the training. Participants were drawn from obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, nursing, midwifery and research disciplines. The Qualitative Research training focused on foundations of qualitative research or research designs, qualitative data collection, analysis and reporting with much emphasis on ethics in qualitative research. Participants gained experience in each step of the qualitative research process through practical exercises and some of them using their own qualitative research topics. The Grant Writing Workshop reviewed steps of grant writing process and components of a grant proposal and identify potential grant sources in Ethiopia, regionally, and globally. It also highlighted that grant writing process requires teamwork, patience and perseverance. It is believed that the participants will make use of the knowledge and skill gained in further developing their qualitative research proposal and solicit grants for research and implementation of project. SPIRHR is grateful for the generous support from CIRHT-UM on this critical endeavor.
