SOFAR Launches Inaugural Tri-Nation ECHO Mentorship Session
As part of the SOFAR Mentorship Work Package, the first Tri-Nation Peer-to-Peer virtual mentorship session was held on 31 July 2026, bringing together fellows and faculty from Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique in a shared virtual learning space.
Led by Dr Sombo Fwoloshi and co-led by Dr Richard Mwape, both Zambian PhD fellows, the session was coordinated by Dr Emmanuel Mukambo, a Zambian MSc fellow. The session marked the launch of a regular ECHO series designed to strengthen peer learning through case discussions and the practical application of implementation science across the three countries.
The inaugural session followed the SOFAR Implementation Science ECHO community-of-practice learning model, combining a fellow's case presentation with a didactic session and facilitated network discussion.
Dr Denise Michela Milice, a Mozambique-based PhD fellow, presented a case on Understanding TB, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and their risk factors in Mozambique. She shared the methodological approach used to map healthcare system pathways and explore individuals' lived experiences.
This was followed by a didactic session led by Dr Given Moonga, a Zambia-based postdoctoral fellow, who explored mixed-methods approaches to conducting health research and understanding complexity. The discussion was facilitated by Dr Emmanuel Mukambo.
The expert panel included Professor Katharina Kranzer from Zimbabwe, Dr Mikaela Coleman and Dr Adam Silumbwe, PhD from Zambia. The experts provided feedback on the case presentation, supporting the fellow's ongoing research while contributing to a broader exchange of perspectives among fellows across the three countries.
The inaugural session highlighted the value of creating spaces where researchers can learn from one another across borders, disciplines and areas of expertise. Through open discussion, case-based learning and expert mentorship, the ECHO series provides a platform for fellows to strengthen their research while building a collaborative regional network.
The first session establishes a strong foundation for the sessions ahead, with the SOFAR Mentorship Work Package continuing to expand opportunities for peer learning, collaboration and implementation science practice across Southern Africa.
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