International Workshop aims to boost public engagement work in developing countries
More than 60 public engagement practitioners from across the world are to share skills and experiences at an innovative conference to be held in South Africa, organised by the Wellcome Trust.
The conference – entitled "Science and community: engage to empower" – will take place from 2-5 December at the Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies, KwaZulu-Natal. It will bring together practitioners working in the fields of public engagement and communication of biomedical and health research.
Dr. Sisira Siribaddana, Project Leader of Sri Lankan Twin Registry has been invited to participate in the conference.
The programme of activities and workshops will include interactive sessions on the theory and practice behind public engagement, as well as the ethics of involving communities. Hands-on sessions will equip researchers with science engagement and communication skills, and build bridges between scientists and policymakers. Delegates will be able to explore the potential of science cafés, theatre and cultural events, science centres and science journalism as public engagement tools.
The Wellcome Trust is the largest charity in the UK. It funds innovative biomedical research, in the UK and internationally, spending over £600 million each year to support the brightest scientists with the best ideas. The Wellcome Trust supports public debate about biomedical research and its impact on health and wellbeing.
MGR Medical University launches twins registry
CHENNAI: The Department of Medical Genetics in Dr. M.G.R. Medical University started a twins medical registry on Monday on the university premises for genetic research.
The registry would record all twins born in the various city hospitals and note their physical data. Twins from educational institutions would also be registered.
An MoU had also been signed with the Sri Lankan registry–SLTR, which had developed a similar registry over the past ten years. The project had been funded by the Welcome Trust and helped by King’s College, London.
This, according to the doctors, would help them find out more about various factors and also analyse Indian genes and the environmental impact on them. Currently, the exact incidence of twin births in India is not known, said a statement issued by them. The incidence is around two per cent in the hospital births in Chennai. The registry can also help researchers understand the incidence of chronic diseases in twins such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and psychiatric disorders among others.
Prof Dr Meer Mustafa Hussain, Vice Chancellor, Dr MGR Medical University, and M Subramaniam, Mayor, Chennai, attended the function.
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