February 13 | 2:00–3:00 PM (EAT) (Webinar)
MERQ successfully conducted its first webinar, marking the formal launch of the CPD-accredited Implementation Research (IR) Short Course. The event brought together researchers, health professionals, and partners interested in strengthening implementation research capacity and advancing evidence-informed health systems.
Opening and Overview
The session began with participants joining the Zoom platform, facilitated by Mr. Michael.
Dr. Alula, MERQ CEO, delivered the welcome and opening remarks, highlighting the importance of implementation research in bridging the gap between evidence and practice and reaffirming MERQ’s commitment to building national and regional research capacity.
Dr. Wondimu, MERQ Training Manager, then provided a comprehensive overview of MERQ’s capacity-building initiatives and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities, outlining the organization’s ongoing efforts to support health professionals through structured training and accredited programs.
Course Presentation
Dr. Tilahun, Course Lead, presented the structure, modules, and key contents of the Implementation Research Short Course. He explained the course design, learning objectives, and expected competencies, emphasizing its practical orientation and relevance to real-world health system challenges.
Expert Panel Discussion
A panel discussion on “The Role of Implementation Research in Health Systems” followed, featuring Dr. Yibeltal, Dr. Tegene, Dr. Elias and Dr. Tilahun.
The panelists discussed how implementation research:
- Strengthens service delivery and quality of care
- Supports evidence-informed decision-making
- Enhances equity in health service access
- Facilitates scale-up and sustainability of effective interventions
The discussion underscored the growing importance of implementation research in improving health system performance and achieving better health outcomes. They concluded by encouraging health professionals, researchers, and policymakers to enroll in the CPD-accredited Implementation Research accredited course and take advantage of the opportunity to enhance their practical skills and contribute to improved health system performance.
Participant Engagement and Closing
The webinar included an interactive question-and-answer session, where participants raised thoughtful questions and shared reflections on course expectations and practical applications.
In the closing segment, Dr. Alula and Dr. Tilahun reviewed the key questions and reflections shared by participants, expressed their appreciation to both speakers and attendees, and encouraged professionals to enroll in the CPD-accredited Implementation Research short course.
Following the webinar, Dr. Wondimu reminded participants about MERQ’s upcoming CPD-accredited training programs. He highlighted the scheduled face-to-face trainings and encouraged all interested professionals to register and take part in these opportunities to enhance their skills in implementation research and related areas.
In closing, Dr. Alula extended special thanks to the expert presenters, partners, and all individuals who contributed to the preparation and successful delivery of the webinar. Their collective efforts ensured a high-quality, engaging, and informative session for all attendees.
Conclusion
The successful launch of the Implementation Research Accredited Course represents a significant milestone in MERQ’s mission to strengthen research capacity and promote evidence-based practice. The strong engagement and positive feedback from participants demonstrate the relevance and timely nature of this initiative.
MERQ looks forward to welcoming participants to future training sessions and continuing to support professional development in health systems research.
The training schedule for upcoming MERQ-accredited courses will be announced soon.
Please visit our Training & CPD Courses section for more information on updates.
