Hey Readers,
It’s OBVIOUSLY been a more than a long while since my last post.
However, this has never left my mind. And what better awesome way to make an “Edinblog”
comeback than this joyous holiday season.
So, without much ado, I am wishing you all Merry Christmas and
Happy Holidays! I wish us all light and love in our homes and our hearts.
Now, what has been happening with my studies?
My answer will be “Not so much” and “A lot”!
“Not so much” because my only mission this academic year is to
undertake a great research thesis that would complete my eligibility to be
awarded the Masters in Global Health and Infectious Diseases.
“A lot” because apart from my usual work and life activities (characteristic
of a distance-learning student), undertaking a research is a monumental and
interesting task on its own.
For now, I have a whole concept note written down and approved
by my supervisor. However, I I am still in the very early stages of putting
together thoughts on my thesis, reading up A WHOLE LOT on my research topic and
interests, defining my focus and charting out my research plan. In fact, this
early planning stage is perhaps the most important part for me as it sets the
pace for the entire journey of undertaking a research.
So far, I have learned that I must select a suitable topic that
should naturally be in sync with my area of interests, and I must understand my
topic areas inside out. I have also learned that I have to define and re-define
and re-define my focus when necessary,
and I must be ready to evolve and grow with this. I also need to understand and
predict the relevance, usefulness and implementation of my research to
scientific and social development. This is particularly important to me because
I believe that the essence of research is development, and as a development
advocate, research must meet the very need that birthed its existence in the first
place.
I have gone through all these different stages - I am still
going through some of them - but to a great extent and with the help of my
supervisors, I have now found a very interesting angle to my research that I am
excited to pursue.
My research topic is “Evaluation of Public Awareness of Zoonoses
in Nigeria”. This is directly in line with my interests in zoonoses and health
education/advocacy. And it is very interesting that I would be utilizing and
synchronizing my platform MyAnimal,MyHealth (www.myanimalmyhealth.org) to carry out
the research activities. It is clear to see that all things will always work
together for good.
So, though I fully intend
to rest, sleep a lot, binge-watch TV shows and generally have fun with friends
and family this holiday season, I am very eager to get back to work on this soon.
Have a beautiful day everyone!