By Tekle Tesfalidet
… the unwavering dedication and passion demonstrated by the scholarship recipients in serving their country exemplify their personal integrity and the objective of EPHI/NIPN Ethiopia to nurture well-trained, skilled, and capable professionals through the PhD scholarship program…
In our previous quarterly newsletters, we featured inspiring stories of four exceptional EPHI/NIPN scholarship recipients who are pursuing their education at prestigious universities worldwide. This time, we turn our attention to Andinet Abera, a scholarship recipient currently pursuing his doctoral studies at the esteemed University College Cork in the Republic of Ireland. This article explores Andinet's academic journey, highlighting his experiences, challenges, and aspirations, and sheds light on the profound impact of this scholarship on his personal growth and potential contributions to public health and nutrition in Ethiopia.
As a student at University College Cork, Andinet finds himself in an environment that fosters advanced research and academic growth. The university's reputation as a center of excellence and its commitment to innovative research provide him with a supportive and intellectually stimulating atmosphere for his PhD studies.
When asked about his studies at the university, Andinet Abera expressed his gratitude for the scholarship, which has provided invaluable financial assistance covering his university fees and accommodation expenses during his stay in Ireland. This support has been crucial for his participation in courses and other important on-campus activities.
When asked about the potential impact of the scholarship program on the development of Ethiopia's healthcare system, Dr. Aregash Samuel, Senior Researcher at EPHI and Coordinator of the NIPN project within EPHI, expressed her hopes and expectations, stating that providing such opportunities through scholarships would help strengthen the capacity of researchers in generating and synthesizing evidence. As PhD students, they would generate data-based evidence, focusing on nutrition-related issues. Dr. Aregash emphasized the significant contribution their research findings would make towards filling the existing evidence gap in nutrition and advancing scientific knowledge.
Regarding his specific research topic for his PhD and its potential impact on public health and nutrition in Ethiopia, Andinet Abera noted that his research focuses on the subject of "Local Food System's Performance and Its Influence on Availability, Access, and Consumption of Nutrient Adequate Diet: A Panel Study on Ethiopian Households." He anticipates that this study will meticulously investigate the intricate relationship between various components of the local food systems in Ethiopia and their effects on the food acquisition and consumption patterns of households and individuals. Furthermore, he aims to identify key areas that offer opportunities for enhancements and advancements in this domain.
By providing scholarships to dedicated individuals like Andinet, it goes without saying that NIPN Ethiopia is not only strengthening the capacity of researchers but also supporting research efforts that address crucial issues in public health and nutrition. Andinet's research aligns perfectly with the goals of the scholarship program, as it aims to generate data-based evidence and contribute to filling the existing evidence gap in nutrition.
When discussing the challenges he encountered during his doctoral studies and how he overcame them, Andinet Abera candidly shared his experiences. He mentioned that obtaining research funds was a notable challenge, as the scholarship did not cover the expenses for his research project. However, he was able to leverage data from related projects conducted by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) to overcome this hurdle.
Andinet emphasized the potential impact of the PhD program on his career goals and the development of the healthcare sector in Ethiopia, particularly in the field of nutrition. He aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of food systems within the Ethiopian context. With Ethiopia adopting a food systems approach to address nutrition challenges, Andinet aspires to contribute to the collective efforts aimed at achieving the nutrition goals of his country.
When asked about advice for students interested in pursuing a PhD program in public health or nutrition in Ethiopia, Andinet emphasized the significance of developing clear research ideas and employing a sound and rigorous methodology. He also recommended aspiring students prioritize seeking fully funded PhD scholarships, as they would be more beneficial compared to partial funding.
Andinet also provided suggestions on how the scholarship program could be enhanced to better support PhD students in their studies and research. He recommended striving to secure full funding for students at EPHI in future opportunities, considering the challenges he faced as a partially funded student.
Regarding networking and collaboration with other researchers and professionals in his field through the scholarship, Andinet confirmed that he has had the opportunity to connect and collaborate with fellow researchers and professionals within and beyond the PhD program. He also engaged in various professional and skill development opportunities in Ireland, all made possible by the scholarship. He expressed his gratitude for the significant benefits he gained from these experiences.
Finally, when asked about his commitment to the organization that awarded him the PhD scholarship, Andinet, like all the other EPHI/NIPN PhD scholarship recipients, affirmed his unwavering commitment to serving his country.
In conclusion, the unwavering dedication and passion demonstrated by the scholarship recipients in serving their country exemplify their personal integrity and the objective of EPHI/NIPN Ethiopia to nurture well-trained, skilled, and capable professionals through the PhD scholarship program. As they embark on their journey to contribute to society, their resolute commitment will undoubtedly, drive them towards excellence and empower them to effect positive change, both within their country and on a broader scale.
