UBONGO BRAIN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN KENYA

Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya

INTRODUCTION    

The Ubongo Brain Awareness Campaign is the Kenyan chapter of the International Brain Awareness Campaign. Since its inception 9 years ago, the Ubongo Brain Awareness Campaign, under the stewardship of alumni of the IBRO Africa neuroscience schools, organizes the brain awareness events in Kenya.

For 2014, the Ubongo Brain Awareness campaign was held at Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya on the 17th October 2014. Pwani means Coast in Swahili and Pwani University is new university started at Kilifi, a coastal resort town, to meet the need for higher education in the Coast Province.

Participants were 28 Form 1-3 students from 3 Kilifi County Secondary Schools and 6 high school teachers. The Ubongo Team comprised of Professor Jameela Hassanali of Pwani University, Professor Nilesh Patel of The University of Nairobi, Dossajee Hussein, former chairman of The Ubongo Campaign and facilitators: Heena Patel, Mohini Pindoria, Mark Maugo and Linda Barasa, all 4th Year Medical students from University of Nairobi. There was also Dr. Juzer Hooker, a clinical neurologist from Nairobi.

The event began with a welcome on behalf of Prof. Muniru Tsanau, DVC Research and Extension, Pwani University, and introduction on IBRO and Ubongo Campaign by Prof Jameela Hassanali. Following this the students were given brief lectures on (1) neuroanatomy, neurohistology and development of the brain by Mark Maugo, (2) peripheral nervous system and the autonomic nervous system by Mohini Pindoria, (3) drug abuse and its affect on the brain by Linda Barasa, and (4) neurophysiology and reflexes by Heena Patel. Prof Patel talked a bit about how neurophysiology research methods and experiments are conducted to gain knowledge on workings of the brain like, for example, learning, memory and recall. Dr. Hooker gave a clinical perspective on brain in disease and health and how neuroscience research impacts on clinical treatment and the career choices in neuroscience.

The students were than divided into 3 competing teams and given a quiz on the topics covered, which they rather enjoyed. It was quite impressive the students understanding of basic aspects of neuroscience.

After a tea-break, the students in small rotated through demonstrations of the gross neuroanatomy of cow, goat and sheep brains for comparison with the human brain, photos of the human brain including MRI, PET and CT scans, and practised evoking reflex action.

The Ubongo Brain campaign would like to acknowledge the generous support of Pwani University in facilitating this event and providing refreshments, donation from DANA for BAW materials and the financial support from IBRO and WWN. (details of other societies needed if any)

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1:30 pm: Discussion of the Ubongo team with Kilifi County students and their teachers in order to get feedback on the event.

1:45 pm: The event was brought to a close by Prof. Hassanali who gave a vote of thanks to the schools for attending the event, Pwani University for hosting the event and faculty members for their contribution.

CONCLUSION

The event ran smoothly from beginning to end and was a great success. The high school students gained valuable knowledge on different aspects of neuroscience and the potential careers in the same field.

The Ubongo team was honoured to organize and facilitate the session at Pwani University. We hope to have similar success in future events.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Ubongo Kenya Campaign would like to express sincere and utmost gratitude to the following for their support of the awareness campaign:

• Pwani University for providing their conference centre as a venue for the event as well as meals for the participants and facilitators on the day of the event.

• The Vice Chancellor Professor Mohammed Rajab, The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Extension Professor Muniru Tsanuo, The Dean School of Pure and Applied Sciences Professor Paul Guyo and Chairman of The Department of Biomedical Sciences Dr. Makorani Y’Dhidha-a-Mjidho

• Prof. Hassanali, Prof. Patel, Dr. Hussein, Dr. Obonyo, Dr.Ambrose, Dr. Kariuki for organizing the event and contributing their time, money and effort in the planning of the event.

• Meggie Mwoka chairlady of The Ubongo Brain Awareness campaign, Kenya for all her effort in the organization of the event. Donations:

• Prof. Patel-Ksh.5,000, Prof. Hassanali-Ksh.5,000, Dr. Juzer Hooker-Ksh.5,000, Dr. Hussein-Ksh.4,000

• Ksh.30,000 contributed by Dr. Ambrose, Dr. Hussein, Dr. Kariuki towards transport, accommodation and food costs for the Ubongo team from Nairobi.

• NB: Prof. Patel and Dr. Hussein paid personally for travel and accommodation costs.

Sponsor:

IBRO Edu