NEWS:

22 Apr, 2016


Professor Kaunda presenting a certificate to one of the participants
Having witnessed the relevance of excellent research skills in data analysis and research findings dissemination, the NEPAD regional Fish Node at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) organized a training seminar on data analysis and interpretation of results using SPSS and GENSTAT. The training was facilitated by Fish Node experts from 9-10th April 2016 at the Aquaculture conference room. The training aimed at building capacity of the LUANAR students in data management, analysis and interpretation to successfully undertake their academic research work for the partial fulfillment of their degrees in different respective programs. In addition, the participants were also trained on how to make references for their research reports using Mendeley referencing software.

Looking at the roles that the youth have in development through research, NEPAD Regional Fish Node trained undergraduate, Masters, and PhD students in the two days data analysis seminar using GenStat and SPSS in analyzing both biological and social data for academic research. Some of the aspects covered during the training course were assessing the data pattern and distribution using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics where participants were trained on how they can run statistical models using GenStat and SPSS. The students were also taught on how to interpret outputs from the analysis.

Commenting on the training seminar, the Nepad Regional Fish Node technical coordinator Professor Emmanuel Kaunda, who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor of LUANAR, applauded the trainees for attending the training seminar. Professor Kaunda was quick to mention that data analysis is key in all fields of study but most students lack skills in data analysis, and very few students analyze their research data on their own. Professor Kaunda continued that the Nepad regional fish node is blessed with young and bright employees from different educational backgrounds such as Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness Management and Statistics with excellent skills in data management. He described that the training was part of the Fish Node’s way of giving back to the LUANAR community in terms of capacity building. This is why they decided to organize the training as one way of mentoring the trainees and building their capacity in data analysis.

Clement Kandodo, speaking on behalf of fellow trainees said the students were very grateful to Nepad Regional fish node for organizing the training which will help them in data analysis and interpretation of their research findings. The trainees asked for more future trainings in use of other statistical packages such as ArcGIS for spatial data using knowledge of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to enhance and improve their capacities. At the end of the seminar, the students were awarded with training certificates.


Written By: Jabulani Nyengere
Submitted By: Public Relations Office