Probably you have seen the Google Doodle last week, when the spotlight was this powerful woman Dr Kamal Ranadive. Although I'm biased by both being a biologist and a woman, her story is truly inspirational for everyone.   Scientific Contribution After receiving her BSc in Zoology and Botany and her MSc in Cytogenetics, Dr Ranadive started working in a hospital. Simultaneously, she was doing her PhD at the Indian Cancer Research Centre. She received a fellowship to work on tissue culture at John Hopkins University. Once she completed it, Dr Ranadive returned to India and founded the first tissue culture laboratory.  Kamal's research found additional links between breast cancer, heredity and viruses. Moreover, her studies on the bacteria causing the leprosy disease have enhanced the development of a vaccine. Social Influence Kamal chose to return to her home country and work towards improving the quality of health and education. She trained women from rural communities as healthcare workers and encourage students from abroad to return back home. Together with her colleagues Dr Ranadive established the Indian Women Scientists' Association.  IWSA supports the engagement of women with science by providing scholarships and childcare help. Have you been inspired/impressed by other powerful women? We are more than curious to learn their story, please feel free to share it!  Sources:Google Doodles - https://www.google.com/doodles/dr-kamal-ranadives-104th-birthdayWikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamal_Ranadive

Hi all! On July 31st there was a meeting, where we discussed the Laidlw Requirements and how the Laidlaw Network can support scholars complete them. For those of you who have missed the call, here I am sharing some summary notes: Idea Design a webinar/blog posts/feedback platform to help students complete the requirements of the Laidlaw Scholarship. Aim of the meeting Find out what resources would be actually useful for scholars. Introduction The requirements of Laidlaw vary across universities but in the most common situation the scholars are required to submit a reflective report/essay as well as give an oral presentation and/or a poster. The deadline for the requirements is also different, e.g. September after the first summer or at the end of the second summer. Your Voice The following questions (can find them in the form) were also discussed at the meeting:     1. What type of support works best for you? - Articles and posts in the Laidlaw Network might be better than live sessions, because it is hard to choose a time which suits everyone; suggestion to raise questions about the requirements in the WhatsApp chat (more relaxed environment); peer feedback also might be very useful.    2. Most Preferred Content.    3. Writing – hardest part:    Make concise and present the data  (for STEM research especially hard, because need to explain a lot of things as well as fit graphs and other results on the poster); adapt to general audience - very hard, have to work on this; how to make it interesting?    4. Stake holders. ... It would be lovely if you find time to fill the form (takes 2-3 minutes)! And, please, feel free to reach me with any questions.  Thank you!

Before stepping into my final year, I applied for internships & apprenticeships, graduate schools, and some volunteering programs. I applied for internships as part of academic modules but I also wanted work experience, and that's why I considered applying for apprenticeships too. Having done all steps required, the final step to most of the applications I made was an interview.  And guess what? I googled tips for interviews and watched various videos on YouTube to get prepared to sit for an interview. I had to make sure that I master tips like: - Be organized and on time, - Think of questions,  - Dress appropriately and others. While this was necessary and good, I found that it is not enough while preparing an interview for graduate schools and internships related to STEM fields. For example, while applying to one of the graduate schools, I had to do an interview and all they did was to ask me questions in class! I had to explain some concepts learnt in the 2nd year of my undergraduate studies. The same thing happened when applying to the apprentice position in one of the organizations here in Rwanda. The position was about learning network protocols, Python development, and IoT (Internet of Things). During the interview, I was asked about Internet of Things tools (how they work and when they are used) and concepts in Python. - I came to realize that while preparing to sit for an interview, you should do it as you prepare for written exams. We should be prepared to answer verbally, questions we used to answer using a pen. And, while other tips are important as well, we should also make sure that we are able to explain concepts as they were learnt in class.  I want to know from you: did you have an experience like this? Which tips have you found helpful? Leave a reply below! 

Hello! Thank you guys for filling the doddle poll and letting us know when you are available. We have a networking session on Saturday 15th May, 11:00 am (Africa_Cairo time): 10:00 am (UK time): 5:00 pm (HK time). The link will be shared soon. This is the first session we'll have with the new cohort of STEM scholars, so hope to see you all!  (If you are a new STEM scholar, DM so that I may add you to our WhatsApp group or leave a reply to this conversation.) Thanks:)

Hello!  I hope you are all doing well. We are organizing a networking session together with new STEM scholars. In order to plan this well, it's better if you let us know your availability by filling this doodle poll. If you are a new STEM scholar, DM so that I may add you to our WhatsApp group or leave a reply to this conversation so I may get to you. Thanks:)

Welcome to New scholars!

Opportunity is the word we like to hear! And, it’s always good when opportunities come when we are prepared. I recently read an article on how to grab opportunities and take charge of your life.  It  lists 6 points: "Have a vision of what you want, set goals, imagine opportunities wherever you look, be persistent, take action, and pursue what gives you meaning."  But then, I constantly ask myself this question: After you get an opportunity, how do you make the best out of it? Getting an opportunity is really great, but I think that someone's behavior inside the opportunity matters too. For example, being an undergrad student in Engineering, you are exposed to different and many programs that equip you with skills you need in order to understand well lessons in class and have an idea on what the real world looks like-However, asking questions and active participation in those programs may help you explore the opportunity and help you get another! How do you behave after getting any opportunity?  Let’s share some tips on how to make sure you are using the opportunity you get!

Hacking Global Surgery: National Interdisciplinary Forum for Global Surgery & Health Are you a student interested in different aspects of global health or global surgery? Wish to be inspired by 6 leading professionals in the fields of global surgery and health, engineering, innovation, ethics, law,​ politics, and advocacy? Incision UK and Lifebox GSA UK are delighted to invite you to a free, online interdisciplinary forum on the 27th and 28th of March 2021 for 2 days of talks and a hackathon, all starting with a documentary screening on Friday evening!   Our fantastic line up of professionals will give talks on different fields of global health and surgery, covering:  Surgery and Academia – Professor Kokila Lakhoo Ethics and Law – Dr Rahul Jindal Engineering, computer science and innovation – Dr James Chandler Politics and policy making – Dr Che Len Reddy Epidemiology and Statistics – Dr Bethany Hedt-Gauthier Advocacy and NGO – Ms Kris Torgerson   The weekend also brings the hackathon challenge!  You will be grouped into multidisciplinary teams and provided with a particular problem to tackle. At the end of the meeting, each group will have the opportunity to present their work to the rest of the audience and our panel of judges who will choose the best innovation. The winning team will receive a prize, certificates and feasible projects will also be considered for mentorship!   Hackathon places will be limited so make sure you sign up as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.   For registering use the ticket link (https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bupras/487540) or scan the QR Code.  Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/52nx138W

Hello!  I hope you guys are doing great! Join us this Saturday, 30th Jan as we discuss on Internet of Things. You'll join with this zoom link at 10:00am (Africa/Cairo)_4:00pm(HKT)_8:00am(UK). See you all!  Having any question, let us know. 

Hello! We have our first meeting on Friday 15th, 10:00am (Africa/Cairo)_4:00pm(HKT)_8:00am(UK). We'll use this zoom link . Looking forward to meeting you all! 

Hi everyone! How have you been doing? It’s so great that we have started to know each other through our WhatsApp group! If your research is in STEM, please join us here: Laidlaw scholars STEM  Interestingly, we are first meeting the next week! In the meeting you’ll get to know our coming and future activities, and we’ll get know each other well. In the meantime, please fill this doodle poll  before Wednesday 13th so as to let us know your availability (remember to set your time zone) and also to schedule our first meeting.    I am looking forward to meet you all! If you have any question, let me know.