Soar Research Foundation
A one stop Centre for Health Research, Training and Innovation services.
PROFILE
Soar Research Foundation Limited (SRF) is a Contract Research Organization (CRO) with robust private research consultancy and training services as its self-sustaining mechanism. We Do research, Teach and support Research. SRF is an African Initiative by Africans for Africans. It began as a grass-root research consultancy in 2010, evolving into a licensed mission-oriented contract research organization (CRO) in Uganda in 2019 (registration number 80020001856635) after nine years of refining its operational model.
01
Why Soar Research Foundation was started
We recognized the poor African Health Research and Development status and sought to contribute on the interventions towards its improvement. It is noteworthy that even to-date, 15% of the world’s population lives in Africa, and Africa has 25% of the global disease burden but produces 2% and 0.5% of the world’s research output, and patent applications respectively. In addition, Africa has only 98 versus 4369 Researchers per million inhabitants (FTE) in Europe. This disease burden, low research and innovation output and low human resource points to Africa’s vulnerability to dependence to higher income countries and a gross inability to generate its context-based knowledge and medical technologies to support its health system strengthening and development aspirations as per the SDG (3.B, 3.C, 3.D and 9 target 5) and AU agenda 2063 (Aspiration 1 and goal 1.2) so as to enhance its global competitiveness.
In our preliminary studies and evidence synthesis, we noted important barriers to Africa’s research competitiveness as excellence that needed innovative approaches to address them, that is;
1) Limited sensitization and inspiration of young elite generation in R&D careers
2) Weak Research and Education Systems with insufficient quality of training in research especially methodologies and techniques.
3)Low research mentorship and motivation
4) Limited infrastructure and mentorship platforms for research especially for graduates outside universities leading to loss of potential researchers.
5) Insufficient Government Funding and low private sector Investment to R&D
6) Inadequate research Infrastructure and Facilities.
02
Ideology
In the recognition of the above, SRF was founded on an ideology that “The health-related challenges of Africa are unique and can best be identified and sustainably addressed by equipped and motivated African researchers themselves.” We recognized that an empowering African researcher and offering them an enabling environment for implementing research would greatly impact on the Africa’s research and innovation portifolio
03
Our Vision
“Promoting Research Excellence in Africa”. We look at research excellence beyond just research outputs but also in the extent to which research done by African researchers impacts on the vulnerable populations in Africa. We therefore train and encourage researchers to recognize and address the health conditions that affect the vulnerable so as to enhance not only the research quantity or quality but also inclusivity and equity in research outs.
04
Our mission
“To create reliable and efficient infrastructure for quality research implementation, research consultancy and skills development”. We operationalize our mission through “Establishing One-stop Centres for Health research, Training and Innovation services for researchers in Africa”. Our One-Stop centre include: i) Research centre, ii) Research training centre, iii) Research consultancy centre, iv) research administration and management, v) Global Health researchers’ mobility support desk and, vi) Develop and produce research books, offer printing, branding services and conference facilities. The primary goal of our One-stop centre model is to offer high quality, reliable, accessible research services to support Researchers and Innovators in low resource settings.
Strategic Vision for Research Excellence
Aligned with its strategic vision, SRF aspires to become an international one-stop center for research excellence promotion in low-resource settings.
We DO research
To provide standard infrastructure, systems, expert human resource and platforms(consortiums) for research implementation and resource mobilization to enhance research activity.
We TEACH research
To provide services platforms and infrastructure to raise and enhance researchers' knowledge and skill sets.
We SUPPORT research
To provide Reseacher expert support services to ensure methodological quality and data intergrity in research implementation so as to increase the confidence needed for research dissemination and utilization.
Our engagement in Clinical trials
Our engagement in Clinical Trials is at 5 levels
01
Clinical trial design and implementation
Based on our understanding of the research context and challenges in implementing clinical trials in low-resource settings, SRF has established an experienced support team of clinical trialists, infrastructure and systems for the implementation of chemotherapeutic, medical device clinical trials and other health system and community interventions.
a. Chemotherapeutic Trials’ implementation: Besides the vast Clinical Trial experience of some of our researchers (like Dr Atwine Daniel) especially in Chemotherapeutic trials, we have not yet hosted a chemotherapeutic trial but looking forward to doing so.
b. Medical devices Trials: Given our long-term collaboration with the African Biomedical Engineering Consortium (ABEC) and African Biomedical Engineering Mobility (ABEM, funded by EU) as a project evaluator and contributor in promoting medical innovation in Africa, we have built a niche in translating our Clinical trial experience gained from chemotherapeutic trials to support the young but growing African MedTech industry and innovators to implement trials.
Our ongoing Clinical trial is entitled: “Safety and efficacy of the photo-kabada device as compared to devices in routine use in administering phototherapy for babies with neonatal jaundice: an open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial.” (Photo-Kabada Trial)
02
Clinical Trial training
We collaborate with Mbarara University and Epicentre in facilitating the Clinical Trial module that has been running for now 6 years under the department of Community Health (Masters in Public Health). In addition, we offer clinical trial trainings to innovators and biomedical engineers who grossly lack these skills despite their engagement in medical device development that demands implementation of device validation studies and clinical trials especially for Class B, C and D devices. We also participate in international training of researchers/PhD students with interest in participating in Global Health Research especially conducting clinical trials in Africa.
a. Visiting Lecturership: XLI Annual School 2022 – Biomedical Engineering for Sustainable Development (GNB School 2022), Italy: Lecture on Implementing Clinical studies in low resource settings. XLI Annual School 2022 – Biomedical Engineering for Sustainable Development (grupponazionalebioingegneria.it) or Bioengineering for Sustainable Development - UBORA (ubora-biomedical.org)
b. Senior Global Health Scholar In-residence at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA: Focusing on decolonization of Global Health research. (Apr2022) https://africa.unc.edu/2022/03/25/daniel-atwine/
03
Clinical Trials regulation:
a. Participation in National guidelines development: Some of our Senior researchers (Dr Atwine Daniel) have been part of the national task force (at Uganda National Council of Science and Technology) for developing research guidelines e.g Community Engagement guidelines. GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AS AT 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 (3).pdf (uncst.go.ug)
b. Medical devices trials and regulation advocacy: We have utilized different platforms both global and continental to advocate for clinical trials competency among Biomedical engineers and innovators.
- Panel discussant at Science summit United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77). (2022). Focussing on Leveraging Biomedical Engineering in achieving Access to Healthcare for all. (https://ssunga77.sched.com/event/18lXi/ref-23151-open-source-medical-technology-for-health-equity-convened-by-the-open-biomedical-engineering-e-platform-for-innovation-through-education-ubora).
- Panel discussion: Transforming Africa MEDTECH Conference (TAMC), Nairobi, Kenya. 2023. Topic: “What does Africa Centered Medtech Look Like?”
- Panel discussion: Transforming Africa MEDTECH Conference (TAMC), Nairobi, Kenya. 2024. Topic: “The Journey of Medtech Regulation in Africa: Challenges, Harmonization Efforts, Strategies, and Gold Standards”.
Meet the Visionaries: Our Dedicated Team at Soar Research Foundation
Dr. Daniel Atwine, PhD
Executive Director, Chairman
Ms Eunice Asiimwe, BSC
Manager, Administrator & Finance
Ms Caroline Birungi, BSc, MPH-RE
External relations and research regulatory officer
Ms Ikiriza Teta Joanna, BSC
Systems and Data ManagementInterested in Advancing Research Excellence Services?
Ready to make a difference? Apply now to collaborate with us on innovative research projects, shape the future of healthcare, and drive positive change in communities worldwide. Together, let's transform ideas into impactful actions.