The Electoral Commission is about to hold country wide elections for Local Council I chairpersons using cost cutting measures that would soon be approved by the Parliament of Uganda. The measures to be considered for approval are contained in the Local Government (Amendment) bill of 2012.

According to the bill, one of the cost cutting measures is the dispatch of only electronic copies of the voters’ national register to the registered political parties as opposed to sending to them papers.

The new arrangement will save government 252 million shillings which would have been spent on printing and postage. The Minister for Local Government Adolf Mwesigye says the government wants parliament to ban the use of photographic voters’ registers at LCI village election levels. The use of non photographic voters registers will save government about 400 million shillings. The Electoral Commission requires 120 billion shillings to hold country wide elections at LCI village level.

Ends

The post Final: Electoral commission to conduct national wide LCI elections first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

MSc Studentships in Epidemiology: The Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, based within the Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, is offering two one-year Studentships for full-time students wishing to undertake MSc Epidemiology at the school.

The recipients will be expected to conduct their research project (dissertation) within the Clinical Epidemiology Group and thus an interest in exploiting electronic health records for research in cardiovascular disease is essential.

Opportunities include projects in relating to cardiovascular disease and depression, the patient journey, biomarkers and diabetes and in training in the use of electronic health record data and statistical methods.

Award Application Eligibility Requirements:

Candidates from theUKand Overseas countries may apply but only those who hold an offer of admission for MSc Epidemiology will be considered for the scholarship.

The Award

The award covers full tuition fees at UK/EU rate for MSc Epidemiology.

Overseas applicants from non-EU countries are eligible to apply but will be liable to pay the difference between UK/EU and Overseas tuition fees.

The Studentship cannot be transferred to another institution, nor deferred to a later year.

The post Opportunity to study Epidemiology in London School Tropical Medicine first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

MSc Studentships in Epidemiology: The Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, based within the Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, is offering two one-year Studentships for full-time students wishing to undertake MSc Epidemiology at the school.

The recipients will be expected to conduct their research project (dissertation) within the Clinical Epidemiology Group and thus an interest in exploiting electronic health records for research in cardiovascular disease is essential.

Opportunities include projects in relating to cardiovascular disease and depression, the patient journey, biomarkers and diabetes and in training in the use of electronic health record data and statistical methods.

Award Application Eligibility Requirements:

Candidates from the UK and Overseas countries may apply but only those who hold an offer of admission for MSc Epidemiology will be considered for the scholarship.

The Award

The award covers full tuition fees at UK/EU rate for MSc Epidemiology.

Overseas applicants from non-EU countries are eligible to apply but will be liable to pay the difference between UK/EU and Overseas tuition fees.

The Studentship cannot be transferred to another institution, nor deferred to a later year.

For more information and application, see: MSc Studentships in Epidemiology

The post Study Epidemiology in London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

ICMR International Fellowship Programme: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the premier national agency for the formulation, promotion and conduct of biomedical research in India.

The mandate and policies of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) coincide with national health policies.

The Council not only plans and promotes medical research in the current and emerging health problems of the country but also is expected to build a strong national cadre of skilled biomedical scientists.

One of the major mandates of the Council is to augment capacity strengthening of institutions involved in both basic and clinical sciences.

The world is now witnessing a rapid change in the way biomedical research is conducted.

The developing countries are in the grip of formidable challenges posed by the existing communicable diseases coupled with new emerging infections.

There is an urgent need that researchers working in the core health sectors like diagnostics, epidemiology, surveillance and cure are exposed to the latest advancements in knowledge and interact with International scientists in their respective field of work.

Considering that India has attained excellence and leadership amongst the developing countries in several areas of research especially in tropical and communicable diseases in the field of epidemiology/surveillance/diagnosis, it becomes imperative that India should take a lead in sharing and offering opportunities to scientists from developing countries to come and work in Indian institutes/laboratories.

To achieve this objective and for better south to south cooperation, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has embarked upon international fellowships for capacity building and human resource development programme for biomedical scientists working in developing countries.

Fellowship Application Eligibility Criteria:

• The applicant should be a citizen of a developing country and working in that country.
• The applicant should possess a minimum qualification of MBBS/M.Sc (life sciences).
• Age: Preferably below 45 years.
• The applicant should be employed in a regular position in a recognised University /Scientific/Health Research Institution in his/her respective country.
• The application should be forwarded by the Employer/Head of the Institution preferably through the Indian Embassy in the respective country with a statement that the candidate will be considered on duty as a full time employee of the Institution during his/her fellowship programme.
• Knowledge of spoken/written English is essential (to be certified by Indian mission abroad).
• The applicant should prepare a concrete plan of training he/she wishes to undertake in India.

Fellowship will be awarded each year with the duration ranging from one to six months depending on the training needs.

The Fellow will be entitled to a fellowship of Rs.500/- per day.

Deadline: Throughout.

For more information and application, visit: ICMR International Fellowship Programme Website

Apply for ICMR International Fellowship Programme

ICMR International Fellowship Programme: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the premier national agency for the formulation, promotion and conduct of biomedical research in India.

The mandate and policies of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) coincide with national health policies.

The Council not only plans and promotes medical research in the current and emerging health problems of the country but also is expected to build a strong national cadre of skilled biomedical scientists.

One of the major mandates of the Council is to augment capacity strengthening of institutions involved in both basic and clinical sciences.

The world is now witnessing a rapid change in the way biomedical research is conducted.

The developing countries are in the grip of formidable challenges posed by the existing communicable diseases coupled with new emerging infections.

There is an urgent need that researchers working in the core health sectors like diagnostics, epidemiology, surveillance and cure are exposed to the latest advancements in knowledge and interact with International scientists in their respective field of work.

Considering that India has attained excellence and leadership amongst the developing countries in several areas of research especially in tropical and communicable diseases in the field of epidemiology/surveillance/diagnosis, it becomes imperative that India should take a lead in sharing and offering opportunities to scientists from developing countries to come and work in Indian institutes/laboratories.

To achieve this objective and for better south to south cooperation, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has embarked upon international fellowships for capacity building and human resource development programme for biomedical scientists working in developing countries.

Fellowship Application Eligibility Criteria:

• The applicant should be a citizen of a developing country and working in that country.
• The applicant should possess a minimum qualification of MBBS/M.Sc (life sciences).
• Age: Preferably below 45 years.
• The applicant should be employed in a regular position in a recognised University /Scientific/Health Research Institution in his/her respective country.
• The application should be forwarded by the Employer/Head of the Institution preferably through the Indian Embassy in the respective country with a statement that the candidate will be considered on duty as a full time employee of the Institution during his/her fellowship programme.
• Knowledge of spoken/written English is essential (to be certified by Indian mission abroad).
• The applicant should prepare a concrete plan of training he/she wishes to undertake in India.

Fellowship will be awarded each year with the duration ranging from one to six months depending on the training needs.

The Fellow will be entitled to a fellowship of Rs.500/- per day.

Deadline: Throughout.

For more information and application, visit: ICMR International Fellowship Programme Website

The post Apply for ICMR International Fellowship Programme first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

1.       The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) met in extraordinary session in London today to consider its response to the situation in Maldives.

 2.       The meeting was chaired by Hon Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Communications of Trinidad and Tobago. Other members of the Group who participated in the meeting were Hon Dr Dipu Moni, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh; Hon John Baird, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada; Senator Hon Arnold J Nicholson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Jamaica (by teleconference); Hon Joseph B Dauda, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Sierra Leone, Hon Bernard K Membe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Tanzania, Mr Dennis Richardson, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia, and H E Roy Mickey Joy, High Commissioner of Vanuatu to the UK.

3.       CMAG received a report from the three-member ministerial mission that visited Maldives from 17-19 February 2012, to ascertain the facts surrounding the transfer of power and to promote adherence to Commonwealth values and principles. The mission was led by Foreign Minister Rambachan and also comprised Foreign Minister Moni and Mr Richardson. It met with a wide range of interlocutors during the visit.

 4.       In keeping with the Commonwealth’s well-established principles of inclusiveness and equity, the Group heard a statement from Dr Hassan Saeed, Adviser to the new President of Maldives, as well as from Dr Farahanaz Faizal, who represented the former President.

5.       CMAG thanked the members of the ministerial mission for their valuable work, which had greatly enhanced the Group’s understanding of the circumstances surrounding the transfer of power.

6       Having considered the report of the mission and reviewed all the information made available to it, CMAG agreed that it was not possible, in the allotted time, to determine

conclusively the constitutionality of the resignation of President Nasheed on 7 February 2012 The Group therefore agreed that an independent and impartial investigation of the events of 6-7 February should be completed in a transparent manner within a reasonable timeframe. It noted, in this context, the announcement by President Waheed, on 21 February, of a three-member commission of inquiry for this purpose. It strongly felt that there should be international participation in any investigative mechanism, as may be mutually agreed by political parties in Maldives.

7.       CMAG recognised the need for healing in Maldives. It called on all concerned to show restraint and mutual respect in their statements and actions, and to take immediate steps in the national interest to seek an inclusive agreement on the way forward. To this end, the Group urged President Waheed and former President Nasheed to commence an immediate dialogue, without preconditions, to agree on a date for early elections, which should take place within this calendar year.

8.       The Group was furthermore of the view that such a dialogue should facilitate the opening of the Majlis session as scheduled on 1 March 2012. This dialogue should lead to collaboration on the passage of the necessary constitutional amendment for the holding of early elections, as well as such legislation that needs to be passed to ensure peaceful, inclusive and credible elections.

9.       It also requested the Secretary-General to continue to deploy his good offices in Maldives. It also welcomed his intent to appoint a Special Envoy.

10.     CMAG noted the assurance by the new government that former President Nasheed would continue to receive the protection and privileges provided for under the Constitution. In this context, the Group expressed strong concern at the continuing impact of the warrant of arrest against him, and urged that this issue be addressed in order that his ability to participate fully in the electoral process is not prejudiced.

11.     The Group further agreed that, in line with the agreed parliamentary agenda and matters emerging from the dialogue, the Commonwealth should enhance its technical assistance to Maldives to help build capacity in such areas as the Judiciary and the Parliament, and that of the Elections Commission, as well as to promote adherence to democratic values and principles. In particular, it urged the Commonwealth to support the Elections Commission as well as to engage with all stakeholders towards ensuring the credibility and peaceful conduct of the next elections. It recommended the expeditious development of a code of conduct for political parties in the lead-up to the elections.

12.     Given the questions that remain about the precise circumstances of the change of government, as well as the fragility of the situation in Maldives, CMAG decided that Maldives should be placed on its formal agenda.

13.     The Group further agreed that, in situations where a member of CMAG was under scrutiny by the Group itself, its CMAG membership should be placed in abeyance as long as it remained on the formal agenda of CMAG. It decided, accordingly, that Maldives should not participate in CMAG during this time.

14.     CMAG decided to convene again via teleconference in March 2012 to review progress in Maldives, and to consider at its next scheduled meeting in April 2012 any further measures that may be warranted.

Cathy Price 
Administrative Assistant
Communications & Public Affairs Division

Commonwealth Secretariat • Marlborough House • Pall Mall • London SW1Y 5HX • United Kingdom
Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7747 6386    • Fax: Direct  +44 (0) 20 7004 3771  General: +44 (0) 20 7839 9081 • www.thecommonwealth.org

The post Extraordinary Meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.