Group with Imo State Commissioner for Health Dr Vin Udokwu
Institute of Neuroscience and Biomedical Research (INBR)
Owerri, Nigeria, 19-25 July, 2008
Neuroscience Development in the Developing World: Which Way Forward?
The 2nd International Neuroscience Conference of the Institute of Neuroscience and Biomedical Research (INBR), Owerri, Nigeria, was held Sunday July 19, 2008 to Friday July 25, 2008 at Modotel Hotel, Owerri. It was a follow-up to the 1st Biennial Congress held in July 2006 in Concorde Hotel, Owerri.
An Advanced School preceded the Conference proper and was held in the College of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri on Sunday July 19, 2008. Resource persons for the School included Profs Richard Brown (Canada), Anna-Leena Siren (Germany), Esther Shohami (Israel), Eme Osim (Nigeria) and Polycarp Nwoha (Nigeria).Topics covered were
i) Basic Neuroanatomy
ii) Introductory Neurophysiology
iii) Basic Neuroendocrinology
iv) Basic Neurochemistry
v) Techniques in Traumatic Brain Injury
vi) Learning and Memory
Anna-Leena Siren and Melody Oyedele
The School was attended by 25 participants, mostly undergraduate students from different universities in Nigeria. They expressed appreciation at the rich and illuminating information contained in the lectures. The resource persons were satisfied with the enthusiasm and response of the participants.
Polycarp Nwoha with young participants
The Conference proper, attended by 52 participants, began on Monday July 20 and ended Thursday July 24, 2008, and was declared open on Tuesday July 21, 2008 by the Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, represented by the Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Vin Udokwu. The Conference was graced with illuminating lectures by Profs Esther Shohami (Israel), Richard Brown (Canada), Tim Moore (USA), Philip Njemanze (Nigeria), Chuma Okere (USA), Anna-Leena Siren (Germany), James Auta (USA) and Polycarp Nwoha (Nigeria). There were promising young researchers award lectures by James Olopade (USA) and Rabiu Magaji (Uganda). The Conference witnessed other academic activities including
i) Poster presentations.
ii) Colloquium: The Role of Government and the Private Sector in Neuroscience Research. It was chaired by Anna-Leena Siren, with speakers including Amby Uneze from This Day Newspapers, and Bala Muhammad from Malaysia. The colloquium was very vibrant and stimulating, generating much heated debate from the audience.
iii) There was also a meeting of the undergraduate participants with Polycarp Nwoha, during which many issues were discussed including careers in neuroscience.
iv) The Nigeria Chapter of the Society of Quality Assurance was formed during the Conference on Wednesday July 23, 2008, with Jatex Obi as President. The Africa Chapter of the SQA was also formed on same day with Polycarp Nwoha as President. John-Moses Maduabuchi anchored the formation of these two chapters.
v) Thursday July 24, 2008, was devoted to Career Opportunities in Neuroscience. During this period older scientists related their life experiences in neuroscience. It was a very rewarding experience for all, especially for the younger ones.
There were also social functions, including a Cocktail Party on Monday, Variety night and Omenaimo free-for-all dance on Tuesday, and Dinner on Thursday. The whole experience was great and participants were very happy. Awards were given to deserving participants.
Richard Brown on the dancing floor
Private site-seeing was arranged for Friday July 25, 2008. Members of the INBR Board who attended the Conference were Chuma Okere (Clark Atlanta University, USA), Ben Jiburum (Provost, College of Medicine, IMSU, Owerri), Eme Osim (University of Calabar, Calabar), Iheanyi Okoro (Country Coordinator, Dean, College of Medicine, IMSU, Owerri), Philip Njemanze (President/CEO, Chidicon Medical Centre, and Institutes of Advanced Studies, Owerri) and Polycarp Nwoha (President INBR, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria).
Support for this meeting was thankfully received from Imo State University, Owerri, the Federal Medical Centre Owerri, and the Society of Quality Assurance.
Next Conference: The 3rd INBR International Neuroscience Conference is planned for Sunday July 18–Friday 23, July 2010
Venue: International Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria
Theme: Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration
Check the website http://www.csit-service.org/ for more information.
Polycarp Nwoha
Conference President
INBR
Owerri, Nigeria
 Philip Njemanze
James Olopade discusses his poster with Jatex Obi
 Esther Shohami
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