..says Research spanned 11 African Countries

A 500-level student of the Department of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, Miss Akinrayo Olufunbi Oyedele, has won the Award of Excellence for the Best Abstract Poster Presentation (Junior Doctor/Student) at the institution’s 2nd Faculty of Clinical Sciences Conference.

She clinched the award after presenting her research project titled: “Assessing Research Self-Efficacy and Attitudes Among Medical Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study Evaluating the Impact of a Structured Training Programme.”

Miss Oyedele, the youngest among all the presenters, described her emergence as the overall winner as “surprising,” noting that it was her first research work and first time presenting at a conference.

“Winning the Best Poster Presentation Award for students and young doctors at the 2nd Faculty of Clinical Sciences Conference feels absolutely surreal,” she said.

According to her, the project spanned across 11 African countries and provided an opportunity to work with supportive mentors and colleagues. She recounted the challenges she faced while preparing for the presentation, including balancing the demanding pathology and pharmacology postings with her research, tackling technical difficulties with submission, and racing against time to finalize her poster design.

“I only confirmed my slot a day before the conference, designed the poster myself, and managed to print it in time. All the nerves, stress, and last-minute hurdles made receiving this award even more meaningful,” she explained.

Expressing gratitude, Oyedele thanked God, her parents, her mentors, and all those who assisted her during the research, as well as the Faculty of Clinical Sciences for providing the platform to showcase her academic capacity.

“This award is not just a personal milestone but also a testimony to the power of resilience, mentorship, and collaboration. It is truly a wonderful experience that I will always treasure,” she added.