Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course and Manuscript Writing Workshop - 2025
- gloriawafula
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
Updated: 5d
The Annals of African Surgery, in collaboration with the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), the Association Burundaise de Chirurgie, the Association for Academic Surgery, the East and Central African Journal of Surgery and the Intuitive Foundation,conducted the 2025 Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course and Manuscript Writing December 2, 2025, at the King's Conference Center, Bujumbura, Burundi. The course ran from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and brought together trainees and faculty for a full day of structured sessions. The course was structured into four main sessions: Fundamentals, The Nuts and Bolts, Funding and Publishing, and Small Table Discussions.
The sessions were led by a distinguished lineup of local and international faculty. Dr. Chris Dodgion moderated the opening session, which featured presentations from University of Burundi (UoB) faculty Dr. Desire Habonimana on epidemiology and Dr. JC Ndayishimiye on qualitative research. Dr. Mike Mwachiro also discussed the COSECSA global surgery research program, highlighting the role of mentors and mentees.
The second session, moderated by Dr. Desire Habonimana, delved into the practical aspects of research. Presentations were given by UoB faculty Dr. JC Nkurunziza on literature reviews, Dr. Floribert Nzambimana on data management, and Dr. Nadine Misago on developing a research protocol. The afternoon session that focused on funding, collaboration, and publishing was moderated by Dr. Godfrey Sama. Key presentations included Dr. Barnabas Alayande on funding in the COSECSA region and Dr. Vincent Kipkorir on open-access publication options.
The workshop concluded with an interactive small table discussion, allowing participants to engage deeply with experts on specific topics. Faculty members, including Margaret Tarpley, Dr. Chris Dodgion, Dr. Vincent Kipkorir, Dr. Godfrey Sama, Dr. Bob Parker, Dr. Kat Chu, and Dr. Barnabas Alayande, led discussions on subjects ranging from Literature Review Strategies, Choosing the Right Study Design for Your Setting/Question, Basic Biostatistics and Sample Size Considerations, IRB and Ethical Considerations, Abstract and Manuscript Writing and Journal Submission and Conference Selection.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Intuitive Foundation for funding this session, all our speakers and moderators, the attendees for their active participation and our partners for their invaluable support in making this workshop a resounding success.
The Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course and Manuscript Writing Workshop 2025 is an excellent initiative for medical professionals and students who want to strengthen their research and academic writing skills. Workshops like this help participants understand study design, data analysis, and the proper structure of scientific manuscripts. Learning from experienced mentors can significantly improve the quality of future publications. Just like planning a journey such as ride Going-to-the-Sun Road by ebike requires preparation and the right guidance, developing strong research skills also needs structured learning. Programs like this encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation, ultimately contributing to better research outcomes and advancements in surgical science.