The annual Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) meeting and the 21st Tore Godal Award Event were held by the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) from 28 Nov to 01 Dec 2023. The SAB Chairperson, Prof. Tsige Gebre-Mariam, opened the meeting with a remark that highlights the major achievements of AHRI during 2022/23 fiscal year. Prof, Afework Kassu, Director General of AHRI made a presentation on “The New Armauer Hansen Research Institute: New Mandates and Opportunities” as per regulation no. 530/2023. In addition, Dr. Alemseged Abdissa, Deputy Director General for Medical Research presented “AHRI at a New Altitude: Opportunities and Challenges.” In addition, Prof. Gunnar Bjune, a current SAB member and former Director General of AHRI, shared recommendations based on lessons titled “Reflection on AHRI’s role in African Vaccine Development and Production.” Finally, the different Research Directorate Directors of AHRI and a representative of the Research Ethics Office presented their respective research undertakings since July 2022. SAB members, invited guests, AHRI management, researchers and other staff members attended the meeting. The SAB members, who are eminent scientists from various fields of biomedical and clinical research, reviewed the progress and achievements of AHRI in the past year and provided guidance and recommendations for future directions.
The Tore Godal Award Event was an occasion to acknowledge outstanding young investigators, which is named after the second director of AHRI, Dr Tore Godal. The event featured keynote speech of the State Minister of Health H.E. Dr, Ayele Teshome and Director General of AHRI. Following his speech, the guest of honor awarded three best young researchers namely, Yadeno Yazachew, Shimelis Teshome and Saron Fekadu. Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, H.E. Mr. Stian Christensen, and other dignitaries and invited guests were glimmers of the award event along with participants of the SAB meeting. The event was also graced by the recorded video footage of Dr. Tore Godal regarding the 21st award.
Furthermore, poster presentations were made on selected researches of AHRI including those of post-graduate students who are conducting their studies at AHRI facilities supervised by lead scientists and senior researchers of the Institute.
