PRESENTING a research paper at the 56th Annual Medical Symposium in Port Moresby in September last year in front of doctors and professors was something Winnie Sagiu never expected. The Australia Awards short course graduate was surprised to be acknowledged for her commitment and passion for research. “I was so excited at first when I heard that my paper had been accepted by the Scientific Research Committee for presentation,” she said. “Then I was nervous and doubted myself. I felt inferior, as I am just a diploma and graduate certificate holder who will be presenting in front of these professionals. “With confidence and trust in God, I presented the paper, and I was acknowledged for a very good presentation.”
Sagiu was one of more than 80 presenters over the five-day symposium which was attended by Prime Minister James Marape, professionals from the Medical Society of Papua New Guinea and students. Her paper on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine hesitancy was timely and relevant to the symposium’s theme and built upon research she conducted earlier in the year on vaccine uptake among healthcare workers in East Sepik. She conducted the research after studying a Graduate Certificate in Governance and Public Policy (Social Research Methods). She was one of 20 other Papua New Guineans to study the short course from July 2021 to February 2022. The 43-year-old learned about the Australia Awards scholarship through an alumni post on Facebook and applied while working as an environmental health officer for the East Sepik Health authority. Sagiu coordinates the environmental health programmes in Wewak which comprise Wash (Water, Sanitation and hygiene Policy), food safety practices, waste management, vector control, environmental health impact assessment, disaster and disease outbreak response, health promotion and awareness and other public health activities. “One significant thing I learned is to plan and make decisions based on evidence,” she said. “And that evidence has to come from research.” The skills that Sagiu acquired have helped her to coordinate a five-year Wash programme in Wewak, starting with a district-wide baseline survey. She also found the webinars and workshops hosted through the Australia Awards PNG Alumni useful for her learning. She has shared her experience and key information about the scholarship through Australia Awards PNG with her colleagues. Note : Australian Awards Scholarships are now open : Apply Now for >> Australian Awards Scholarships The National / PNG Education news next : Unemployment Rates In PNG High Comments are closed.
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