Road map for capacity building and development for biomedical sciences in Kenya

Abstract

There is an effort to develop a critical mass of biomedical researchers in low middle-income countries by funding organizations and academic institutions in high-income countries. This involves providing short- and/or long-term training. Short-term training encompasses acquiring competencies in any or a combination of fieldwork, proposal/grant writing, laboratory techniques, data management, statistical approaches for data analyses and dissemination of research findings. Long-term training involves acquisition of an array of competencies that results into an award of a Master’s or PhD degree or acceptance into post-doctoral training programs. The author is motivated to write this article to create awareness on this capacity building effort and more importantly provide much needed guidance to potential graduate students considering pursuing long-term training careers in biomedical sciences and global health from Kenya.