SCIENTIFIC AND
MANUSCRIPT WRITING
Theme: “Writing to Inspire, Inform, and for Impact”
- March 11 & 12, 2025
- 09H - 17h (GMT + 1)
- La Falaise Hotel Yaoundé - Cameroon
Context
Africa faces multifaceted challenges that require innovative solutions grounded in science and technology. However, the continent’s contribution to global scientific output remains disproportionately low. With 12% of the world’s population, Africa accounts for less than 1% of global academic publications, significantly limiting its influence on scientific progress.
Scientific writing and publication are fundamental to advancing research, ensuring credibility, and fostering global collaboration. The quality and quantity of published works often determine researchers’ career progression, peer recognition, and access to critical funding. Yet, the limited representation of African researchers as first authors, even in studies centered on African issues, highlights significant gaps in capacity and opportunity. These challenges stem from inadequate training in scientific writing, a lack of mentorship opportunities, and insufficient resources for young researchers. Addressing these gaps is essential to positioning Africa as a leader in scientific innovation.
objectives
The Scientific and Manuscript Writing Course seeks to:
Equip young African researchers with advanced scientific writing skills.
Strengthen participants' ability to effectively communicate research findings.
Foster a network of mentorship in scientific writing and publication.
Instill best practices in ethical publishing and research integrity.
Course content
01
-
Introduction
to Scientific Writing
02
- Mastering the Art of Scientific Communication
03
- Referencing Systems and Reference Management
04
- Navigating the World of Journals
05
- Conducting and Writing Systematic Reviews
06
- Grant Proposal Writing
07
- Ethical Publishing Practices
08
- Research Dissemination Strategies
09
- Workshop: Peer Review Process
10
- Practical Writing Sessions
Faculty members
This workshop will be facilitated by faculty members from Cameroon, United States Universities and Nkafu Policy Institute experts.
Dr. Denis Foretia is Co-Chair of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation and Executive Chairman of the Nkafu Policy Institute, a leading Cameroonian think tank. Along with co-chair Lenora Ebule, he shapes and approves strategy, advocates for the foundation, and helps set the overall direction. He is also the Chairman of Merckshire LLC, an international holding company with operations in the US and Cameroon. A surgeon by training, Foretia has always been involved in philanthropic activities and issues related to international development. He is currently the President of the Association of Cameroonian Physicians in the Americas (ACPA). He is also the Co-Founder and pioneer president of the Cameroon Professional Society (CPS) – the premier institution for Cameroonian professionals in the US focused on advancing economic opportunity and leadership development among Cameroonians.
Dr. Ronald Gobina is a Nephrologist, working with the Regional Hospital in Buea. He is Director of the Health Policy and Research Program at the Nkafu Policy Institute and the Director of the COVID-19 taskforce for the Foretia Foundation. He is member of the Cameroon Society of Nephrology (CASONEPH), the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the Initiative to Strengthen Health Research Capacity in Africa (ISHReCA).
He is passionate about sharing knowledge and skills through every means possible. He believes that being a specialist is not about being superior but about being a better coach to advance expertise in any given sphere. As a general practitioner, he has initiated several teaching and coaching opportunities including the hospital-based teaching program at the Buea Regional Hospital for practicing nurses, doctors and trainees, and the Renal Summit for the South West Region of Cameroon which saw its maiden edition bring together experts from around the world to capacitate health personnel in the region on renal diseases. A regular choice for health education on radio platforms and with several community events for sensitization and screening organized, his determination continues to be seen in communities.
Desmond Jumbam is a global surgery research and health systems consultant. He earned his bachelor's degree in biological sciences with a minor in chemistry from Taylor University (magna cum laude) in 2015 and a master of science in global health from the University of Notre Dame in 2016. Currently, he serves as Director of Health Policy and Advocacy at Operation Smile, an international non-governmental organization that aims to improve access to safe and timely surgical care globally. Desmond is also a 2022 News Voices Fellow at the Aspen Institute and the president and co-founder of the Jumbam Family Foundation, based in Cameroon. The Jumbam Family Foundation aims to provide psychosocial and reintegration support to victims of the ongoing Anglophone war in Cameroon. Desmond serves on the editorial boards of BMC Health Services Research, PLOS Global Public Health, and Frontiers. He is a board member of King’s Global Health Partnership at King’s College London.
Dr. Asahngwa Constantine holds a PhD in Medical Anthropology from the University of Yaounde 1, Yaounde, Cameroon. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Medical Anthropology and Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology both from the University of Yaounde 1, Cameroon. He has served as Director for the Cameroon Center for Evidence Based Health Care for 10 years as an evidence synthesis, translation and utilization expert. He has also served as a Senior Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, South Australia for 10 years, His research areas are in health policy, health systems, infectious diseases and reproductive health.
Dr. Odette Kibu is a Senior Health Policy Analyst at the Nkafu Policy Institute and PhD holder in Public Health at the University of Buea. She hold a Masters Degree in Chemical Pathology and a Bachelors Degree (Hons) in Biochemistry also from the University of Buea. Prior to joining the Foundation Ms. Kibu was a Research Assistant in Public Health at the University of Buea under the supervision of Prof. Dickson Shey Nsagha. She also previously worked at the Clinton Health Access Initiative.
Dr. Ignatius Esene is a Neurosurgeon-Scientist. He works as a Consultant neurological surgeon, Public, International & Global Health Physician. He is currently the Head of the neurosurgical unit of the Garoua regional hospital. Dr Esene is also the Deputy Editor-In-chief, Journal of Global Neurosurgery (J GNS) and the Co-Founder/Scientific Editor of the Pan African Medical Journal-Clinical Medicine. He was recently elected Secretary general of the Continental Association of African Neurosurgical Societies (CAANS).
Dr Ignatius Esene obtained his Medical Doctorate Degree from Cameroon and was awarded the Academy of Research and Higher Education scholarship to undertake a Masters in Public Health (in Brussels, Belgium) which he obtained with a Magna Cum Laude. He then proceeded to Cairo for his residency in Neurosurgery. He obtained a Masters in Neurosurgery/Neurology (cum laude) and Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) in Neurological Surgery under the aegis of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies and auspices of the Cameroonian government.
He equally holds Postgraduate Certificates/Diplomas in Health Economics, International Health, Advanced Research Methods, Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Skull Base and Neuro-Vascular Surgery. He has received a myriad of accolades, travel/boarding grants and a manifold of scholarships (WFNS Foundation Scholarship, FIENS-Basset Global Neurosurgery Fellowship, NIH-StrokeNet Fellowship, InWEnt-Health Division Grant).
- March 11 & 12, 2025 | La Falaise Hotel Yaoundé - Cameroon
- 09H - 17h (GMT + 1)
- Application deadline : February 14, 2025
- Late registration deadline : March 4, 2025
Training fees
For Researchers and Professionals : 30 000 FCFA (or 35,000 FCFA for late registrations)
For Students : 15 000 FCFA (or XAF 20,000 for late registrations)
Program
The course is a two-day program scheduled from the March 11-12, 2025 from 9:00am to 6:00pm. The format is hybrid, In-Person at La Falaise Hotel (Yaoundé, Cameroon) and online via Zoom.
Nuts and Bolts of Manuscript Writing
8:30 – 9:00 Arrival and registration of participants (Pre-test)
9:00 – 9:15 Ice breaker
9:15 – 9:30 Opening remarks
9:30 – 9:45 Why publish a paper?
10:00 – 10:15 Principles of effective writing (What makes a great paper?)
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 11:30 Practical session (group work): Sentence editing
11:30 – 11:45 Writing the title and introduction
12:00 – 12:15 Writing the methods section
12:30 – 12:45 Writing the results section
13:00 – 13:15 Writing the discussion section
13:30 – 13:45 Writing the conclusion
14:00 – 14:45 Lunch break
15:00 – 15:45 Practical session (group work): Paragraph editing
15:45 – 16:00 Writing an abstract
16:15 – 16:30 Presenting your research
16:45 – 17:00 Submitting your abstract to a scientific conference
17:15 – 17:30 Preparing your manuscript for journal submission: What the editor wants to see?
17:45 Wrap up
End of the day and Homework: Write an abstract of the research paper reviewed in your group. keep a word limit of 250 words.
Practical Skills and Ethical Considerations
8:30 – 9:00 Arrival and registration of participants (Onsite)
9:00 – 9:10 Recap of Day 1
9:10 – 10:00 Practical session (group work): Homework abstract editing
10:00 – 10:15 Responding to reviewers’ questions
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 11:15 How to choose a good journal?
11:30 – 11:45 How to peer review an article?
12:00 – 13:30 Practical session: Managing your references (Reference management styles and application on a reference management software).
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch break
14:30 – 14:45 Writing review articles
15:00 – 17:00 Practical session: Effective guide to systematic reviews
17:00 – 17:15 Plagiarism and other ethical issues
17:30 – 17:45 Wrap up and post-satisfaction test
