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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE STUDY OF THE U.S. INSTITUTES FOR SCHOLARS

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15 years ago

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The Public Affairs Section is soliciting candidate nominations/applications for six competitive Summer 2012 Study of the U.S. Institutes for university faculty and other related scholars. In-country deadline for nominations and applications is November 30, 2011. Nominees and interested applicants should email their curriculum vitae to : Dorothy Ngalombi, Cultural Affairs Specialist, U.S. Mission Uganda; email: NgalombiDN@state.gov by the deadline. Please share widely with your colleagues.

1) INSTITUTE DESCRIPTION: Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours whose purpose is to provide foreign university faculty and other scholars the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, and institutions. The ultimate goal is to strengthen curricula and to improve the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad.

The institutes will take place at various colleges and universities throughout the United States over the course of six weeks beginning in June 2012. Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the website to obtain general information about the Institutes. The website address is:
http://exchanges.state.gov/academicexchanges/scholars.html.

A. The Institute on American Politics and Political Thought will provide a multinational group of 18 foreign university faculty with a deeper understanding of U.S. political institutions and major currents in American
political thought. The institute will offer an overview of political thought during the founding period (constitutional foundations), and the development and current functioning of the American presidency, Congress, and the federal judiciary. The examination of political institutions will include the electoral system, political parties and interest groups, the civil service system, media and think tanks, and the welfare/regulatory state. The institute will address modern political and cultural issues in the United States (including but not limited to civil rights, women's rights, immigration, etc.) and the significance of public discourse in the formulation of public policy.

B. The Institute on Contemporary American Literature will provide a multinational group of up to 18 foreign university faculty and scholars with a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present,
through an examination of contemporary American literature. Its purpose is twofold: to explore contemporary American writers and writing in a variety of genres; and to suggest how the themes explored in those works reflect larger currents within contemporary American society and culture. The program will explore the diversity of the American literary landscape, examining how major contemporary writers, schools and movements reflect the traditions of the American literary canon. At the same time, the program will expose participants to writers who represent a departure from that tradition, and who are establishing new directions for American literature.

C. The Institute on Journalism and Media will provide a multinational group of 18 journalism faculty and other related specialists with a deeper understanding of the role of journalism and the media in U.S. society. It
will examine major topics in journalism, including the concept of a free press, First Amendment rights, and the media's relationship to the public interest. The legal and ethical questions inherent in journalistic endeavors will be incorporated into every aspect of the institute. The institute will cover strategies for teaching students of journalism the basics of the tradecraft: researching, reporting, writing, and editing. The program will also highlight technology's impact on journalism, addressing the influence of the internet, the globalization of the news media, the growth of satellite television and radio networks, and other advances in media that are transforming the profession.

D. The Institute on Religious Pluralism in the United States will provide a multinational group of up to 18 foreign university faculty and practitioners with a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present, through an examination of religious pluralism in the United States and its intersection with American democracy. Employing a multi-disciplinary approach and drawing on fields such as history, political science,
sociology, anthropology, law and others, the program will explore both the historical and contemporary relationship between church and state in the United States. Participants will examine the following aspects of
religious pluralism in the United States: the ways in which religious thought and practice have influenced, and been influenced by, the development of American-style democracy; the intersections of religion and politics in the United States in such areas as elections, public policy, and foreign policy; and the sociology and demography of religion in the United States today, including a survey of the diversity of contemporary religious beliefs and its impact on American politics.

E. The Institute on U.S. Culture and Society will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly-motivated foreign university faculty and other specialists with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture,
values, and institutions. The Institute will examine the ethnic, racial, economic, political, and religious contexts in which various cultures have manifested themselves in U.S. society, and the ways in which these cultures have influenced both social movements and historical epochs throughout U.S. history. The program will draw from a diverse disciplinary base, and will itself provide a model of how a foreign university might approach the study of U.S. culture and society.

F. The Institute on U.S. Foreign Policy will provide a multinational group of 18 foreign university faculty and scholars with a deeper understanding of how U.S. foreign policy is formulated and implemented. The Institute will focus on United States Foreign Policy making through an exploration of domestic politics and players with emphasis on how each entity shapes U.S. perspectives and action on international issues. The four-week academic residency program will be complemented by two weeks of study tours of diverse loci of foreign policy-making: including Chicago and Washington, DC. The Institute program will also include day trips to Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, and historic St. Augustine.

2) CANDIDATE DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

A. Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly-motivated and experienced professionals generally from institutions of higher education or research focused organizations (non-profits, think tanks, etc.). While the educational level of participants will likely vary, most should have graduate degrees and have substantial knowledge of the thematic area of the institute.

B. The ideal candidate will also be an experienced professional with little or no prior experience in the United States, whose home institution is seeking to introduce aspects of U.S. studies into its curricula, to develop
new courses in the subject of the institute, to enhance and update existing courses on the United States, or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for professionals in U.S. studies areas related to the program theme. In this respect, while the nominee's scholarly and professional credentials are an important consideration, an equally important factor is how participation in the institute will enhance mutual understanding course offerings in U.S. studies at the nominee's home institution.

C. Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate level academic program and study tour.

3) Program Funding: The Department of State will cover all participant costs, including: program administration; travel and ground transportation in the United States; and book, cultural, housing, subsistence, mailing, and incidental allowances for selected participants.

Contact Details

Dorothy Ngalombi
Cultural Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Mission Uganda
Tel: 256-414-259791/5 ext. 6313; 256-414-306313

http://kampala.usembassy.gov/ <http://kampala.usembassy.gov/>
http://www.america.gov/ <http://www.america.gov/>

<http://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Mission-Uganda/121384077911109?v=app_49497
52878> <http://www.flickr.com/photos/us_mission_uganda>
<http://www.youtube.com/user/USMissionUganda>
<http://twitter.com/usmissionuganda> <http://kampala.usembassy.gov/>

The Public Affairs Section is soliciting candidate nominations/applications for six competitive Summer 2012 Study of the U.S. Institutes for university faculty and other related scholars. In-country deadline for nominations and applications is November 30, 2011. Nominees and interested applicants should email their curriculum vitae to : Dorothy Ngalombi, Cultural Affairs Specialist, U.S. Mission Uganda; email: NgalombiDN@state.gov by the deadline. Please share widely with your colleagues.

1) INSTITUTE DESCRIPTION: Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars are intensive post-graduate level academic programs with integrated study tours whose purpose is to provide foreign university faculty and other scholars the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, and institutions. The ultimate goal is to strengthen curricula and to improve the quality of teaching about the United States in academic institutions abroad.

The institutes will take place at various colleges and universities throughout the United States over the course of six weeks beginning in June 2012. Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the website to obtain general information about the Institutes. The website address is:
http://exchanges.state.gov/academicexchanges/scholars.html.

A. The Institute on American Politics and Political Thought will provide a multinational group of 18 foreign university faculty with a deeper understanding of U.S. political institutions and major currents in American
political thought. The institute will offer an overview of political thought during the founding period (constitutional foundations), and the development and current functioning of the American presidency, Congress, and the federal judiciary. The examination of political institutions will include the electoral system, political parties and interest groups, the civil service system, media and think tanks, and the welfare/regulatory state. The institute will address modern political and cultural issues in the United States (including but not limited to civil rights, women's rights, immigration, etc.) and the significance of public discourse in the formulation of public policy.

B. The Institute on Contemporary American Literature will provide a multinational group of up to 18 foreign university faculty and scholars with a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present,
through an examination of contemporary American literature. Its purpose is twofold: to explore contemporary American writers and writing in a variety of genres; and to suggest how the themes explored in those works reflect larger currents within contemporary American society and culture. The program will explore the diversity of the American literary landscape, examining how major contemporary writers, schools and movements reflect the traditions of the American literary canon. At the same time, the program will expose participants to writers who represent a departure from that tradition, and who are establishing new directions for American literature.

C. The Institute on Journalism and Media will provide a multinational group of 18 journalism faculty and other related specialists with a deeper understanding of the role of journalism and the media in U.S. society. It
will examine major topics in journalism, including the concept of a free press, First Amendment rights, and the media's relationship to the public interest. The legal and ethical questions inherent in journalistic endeavors will be incorporated into every aspect of the institute. The institute will cover strategies for teaching students of journalism the basics of the tradecraft: researching, reporting, writing, and editing. The program will also highlight technology's impact on journalism, addressing the influence of the internet, the globalization of the news media, the growth of satellite television and radio networks, and other advances in media that are transforming the profession.

D. The Institute on Religious Pluralism in the United States will provide a multinational group of up to 18 foreign university faculty and practitioners with a deeper understanding of U.S. society and culture, past and present, through an examination of religious pluralism in the United States and its intersection with American democracy. Employing a multi-disciplinary approach and drawing on fields such as history, political science,
sociology, anthropology, law and others, the program will explore both the historical and contemporary relationship between church and state in the United States. Participants will examine the following aspects of
religious pluralism in the United States: the ways in which religious thought and practice have influenced, and been influenced by, the development of American-style democracy; the intersections of religion and politics in the United States in such areas as elections, public policy, and foreign policy; and the sociology and demography of religion in the United States today, including a survey of the diversity of contemporary religious beliefs and its impact on American politics.

E. The Institute on U.S. Culture and Society will provide a multinational group of 18 experienced and highly-motivated foreign university faculty and other specialists with a deeper understanding of U.S. society, culture,
values, and institutions. The Institute will examine the ethnic, racial, economic, political, and religious contexts in which various cultures have manifested themselves in U.S. society, and the ways in which these cultures have influenced both social movements and historical epochs throughout U.S. history. The program will draw from a diverse disciplinary base, and will itself provide a model of how a foreign university might approach the study of U.S. culture and society.

F. The Institute on U.S. Foreign Policy will provide a multinational group of 18 foreign university faculty and scholars with a deeper understanding of how U.S. foreign policy is formulated and implemented. The Institute will focus on United States Foreign Policy making through an exploration of domestic politics and players with emphasis on how each entity shapes U.S. perspectives and action on international issues. The four-week academic residency program will be complemented by two weeks of study tours of diverse loci of foreign policy-making: including Chicago and Washington, DC. The Institute program will also include day trips to Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, and historic St. Augustine.

2) CANDIDATE DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

A. Candidates should be mid-career, typically between the ages of 30-50, highly-motivated and experienced professionals generally from institutions of higher education or research focused organizations (non-profits, think tanks, etc.). While the educational level of participants will likely vary, most should have graduate degrees and have substantial knowledge of the thematic area of the institute.

B. The ideal candidate will also be an experienced professional with little or no prior experience in the United States, whose home institution is seeking to introduce aspects of U.S. studies into its curricula, to develop
new courses in the subject of the institute, to enhance and update existing courses on the United States, or to offer specialized seminars/workshops for professionals in U.S. studies areas related to the program theme. In this respect, while the nominee's scholarly and professional credentials are an important consideration, an equally important factor is how participation in the institute will enhance mutual understanding course offerings in U.S. studies at the nominee's home institution.

C. Candidates should be willing and able to fully take part in an intensive post-graduate level academic program and study tour.

3) Program Funding: The Department of State will cover all participant costs, including: program administration; travel and ground transportation in the United States; and book, cultural, housing, subsistence, mailing, and incidental allowances for selected participants.

Contact Details

Dorothy Ngalombi
Cultural Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Mission Uganda
Tel: 256-414-259791/5 ext. 6313; 256-414-306313

http://kampala.usembassy.gov/ <http://kampala.usembassy.gov/>
http://www.america.gov/ <http://www.america.gov/>

<http://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Mission-Uganda/121384077911109?v=app_49497
52878> <http://www.flickr.com/photos/us_mission_uganda>
<http://www.youtube.com/user/USMissionUganda>
<http://twitter.com/usmissionuganda> <http://kampala.usembassy.gov/>

Denis Wamala

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JICA, Makerere University Explore New Frontiers in AI and Research Collaboration

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5 days ago

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September 4, 2026

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Prof. Sarah Ssali presents the Makerere coffee table book to Dr. Okano Takasei as Makerere and JICA Officials witness on 4th September 2026. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) delegation led by Dr. Okano Takasei meets DVCAA Prof. Sarah Ssali, explores new opportunities for strengthening academic, research and innovation collaboration between Uganda, Japan and other African countries, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace engineering, materials and remote sensing, food value chains, energy, water and climate change, 4th September 2026, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Moses Lutaaya

Kampala, September 4, 2026 — Makerere University and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have explored new opportunities for strengthening academic, research and innovation collaboration between Uganda, Japan and other African countries, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace engineering, materials and remote sensing, food value chains, energy, water and climate change.

The discussions took place on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Makerere University Main Building in the Vice Chancellor’s Board Room, during a visit by a JICA delegation led by Dr. Okano Takasei, Senior Advisor, Human Development Department of JICA.

Makerere keen to deepen collaboration with JICA

Welcoming the delegation, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, highlighted Makerere University’s long-standing tradition of research, international collaboration and contribution to knowledge generation in Uganda and beyond.

Prof. Ssali noted that Makerere has built a strong global research footprint through partnerships with institutions around the world, observing that the University is well positioned to deepen international collaboration as emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, continue to transform research and higher education.

“Uganda has a very long history of doing research, and particularly it has informed research findings in the areas global health research,” Prof. Ssali said, pointing to Uganda’s historical contribution to global scientific knowledge.

She cited the country’s contribution to medical and biological research, including early research on sleeping sickness, noting that Uganda’s unique research environment continues to offer opportunities for scientific discovery.

Prof. Ssali said Makerere’s history of collaboration with Japan is particularly significant, noting that Japanese cooperation has contributed not only to academic and research activities but also to infrastructure development and other sectors in Uganda.

She cited the establishment of the JICA building at Makerere, describing it as one of the visible symbols of Japan’s long-standing partnership with Makerere University.

Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Makerere necktie to Dr. Okano Takasei (L). Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) delegation led by Dr. Okano Takasei meets DVCAA Prof. Sarah Ssali, explores new opportunities for strengthening academic, research and innovation collaboration between Uganda, Japan and other African countries, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace engineering, materials and remote sensing, food value chains, energy, water and climate change, 4th September 2026, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Makerere necktie to Dr. Okano Takasei (L).

According to Prof. Ssali, the building, which houses College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) disciplines of geology, petroleum studies and administrative offices, was constructed during her undergraduate years and completed within a remarkably short period.

Prof. Ssali said the long-standing relationship between Uganda, Makerere University and Japan provides a strong foundation upon which new areas of collaboration can be built. She encouraged the visiting JICA delegation to explore the University and identify areas where existing partnerships could be strengthened or new areas of cooperation developed.

“Please take time and explore and see where either you already have a footprint, where you’ve ever had a footprint, or where you could explore new areas,” she said.

Prof. Ssali added that Makerere was privileged to host the JICA delegation and expressed optimism that the visit would lead to meaningful and sustainable partnerships.

Strengthening Joint Collaboration through AJ-ASPIRE

Dr. Okano, in his remarks as leader of the delegation said the visit formed part of a broader JICA initiative aimed at promoting academic and research collaboration between Japanese and African universities.

He explained that the initiative was launched on the occasion of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), held in Yokohama in September 2025, with the objective of strengthening academic and research partnerships between Japan and Africa.

According to Dr. Okano, the initiative is intended to benefit both African and Japanese universities by providing platforms for internationalisation, collaborative research and the exchange of knowledge, researchers and students. “We would like to play a role of facilitator between universities in Japan and Africa and Uganda as well,” he said.

He explained that JICA is currently promoting the initiative through three African hub universities where JICA already has ongoing projects and experts on the ground.

The three institutions are Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) in Egypt, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya, and Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

Dr. Okano said the selection of the three institutions was informed by the presence of ongoing JICA-supported projects and experts who can facilitate collaboration between the hub universities and institutions across Africa and Japan.

Dr. Okano Takasei makes his remarks. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) delegation led by Dr. Okano Takasei meets DVCAA Prof. Sarah Ssali, explores new opportunities for strengthening academic, research and innovation collaboration between Uganda, Japan and other African countries, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace engineering, materials and remote sensing, food value chains, energy, water and climate change, 4th September 2026, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Okano Takasei makes his remarks.

The hub universities are currently coordinating research with Japanese universities in strategic areas, with E-JUST focusing on energy, JKUAT leading work on food value chains, and Stellenbosch University focusing on water and climate change.

Dr. Okano said JICA was particularly pleased to explore collaboration with Makerere University under the African-Japan Initiative for Research and Education Partnerships, known as AJ-ASPIRE.

He outlined three major avenues through which Makerere could participate in the initiative.

The first is participation in existing research programmes hosted by the three hub universities. He added that Makerere researchers could join ongoing research on energy, food value chains, water and climate change, thereby creating opportunities to work with Japanese and other African researchers.

“We would like to explore opportunity for researchers from Makerere University to participate in these ongoing research activities and expand collaboration with Japanese and African partner institutions,” Dr. Okano said.

The second area is the development of new research networks in artificial intelligence and aerospace engineering. Dr. Okano said JICA was planning to establish new research groups focusing on the two areas and would be interested in having Makerere researchers participate in the emerging networks. “We would like to also invite researchers from Makerere University to join these networks and implementation of future collaboration in these two research topics, aerospace engineering and AI,” he said.

The third proposed avenue is increased collaboration between Makerere University and E-JUST, which Dr. Okano said offers fully funded scholarship opportunities for African students through a programme jointly supported by the governments of Egypt and Japan.

He noted that a number of Makerere graduates have already benefited from the programme, including researchers who have pursued doctoral studies and research opportunities in Egypt and Japan.

Dr. Okano cited the example of Mr. Abdonoor Kalibala, a Makerere alumnus whom he recently met in Hiroshima, Japan, following completion of PhD in Mechatronics and Robotics engineering at E-JUST. Mr. Kalibala conducted research in Japan for up to six months under the supervision of a Japanese professor as part of his doctoral programme.

Dr. Okano said such programmes could help strengthen the movement of researchers between Uganda, Egypt and Japan and create lasting institutional partnerships.

He added that JICA is also providing small research grants to alumni of the programmes to help them maintain and expand research collaboration involving Japan, E-JUST and African institutions.

He said Makerere could leverage such opportunities to increase the participation of its students and researchers in international research networks.

AI, Materials and Remote Sensing and International Relations Set the Pace

Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships at Makerere University, said the visit followed an online engagement held a few weeks earlier between Makerere University and JICA, during which several areas and units within the University were identified as potential points of collaboration.

Prof. Wamala said these included the Makerere University AI Lab, the University’s International Office and researchers working in space engineering, particularly in materials and remote sensing.

He welcomed the transition from online discussions to physical engagement, saying the visit would allow JICA representatives to interact directly with researchers, academic units and University authorities. “This interest is being followed up through an in-person visit, which provides us an opportunity for JICA to engage directly with the relevant units and researchers at Makerere University,” Prof. Wamala said.

For Makerere, he added, the initiative provides an opportunity to connect the University’s research strengths with Japanese universities, research institutions and development partners to address shared development challenges.

L-R: Prof. Robert Wamala, Prof. Sarah Ssali, Ms. Eri Maeda and Dr. Okano Takasei flip through the Makerere Coffee Table book. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) delegation led by Dr. Okano Takasei meets DVCAA Prof. Sarah Ssali, explores new opportunities for strengthening academic, research and innovation collaboration between Uganda, Japan and other African countries, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace engineering, materials and remote sensing, food value chains, energy, water and climate change, 4th September 2026, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
L-R: Prof. Robert Wamala, Prof. Sarah Ssali, Ms. Eri Maeda and Dr. Okano Takasei flip through the Makerere Coffee Table book.

Prof. Wamala said the University was particularly interested in identifying practical areas of collaboration that could move beyond general discussions to concrete research partnerships, joint projects and opportunities for students and researchers.

He noted that the JICA delegation’s on-campus interactions scheduled to take place throughout the day would enable the two sides to identify specific areas of mutual interest. “We hope these engagements will help us identify specific areas of future interest and provide a basis for developing concrete areas of collaboration under the AJ-ASPIRE,” Prof. Wamala said.

He reiterated Makerere’s commitment to strengthening international research partnerships and thanked JICA for its continued interest in the University.

Dr. Okano, was accompanied by Mr. Ito Idomu, Research and Advisor at the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Osaki Mistuhiro from JICA headquarters, Ms. Eric Maeda from JICA Headquarters, and Ms. Ruth Mbabazi from JICA Uganda.

JICA follow-up meetings with Makerere research units

Following the high-level meeting in the Vice Chancellor’s Board Room, the JICA team, together with the Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, proceeded to engage with key research and administrative units at Makerere University identified as strategic to the proposed areas of collaboration.

The delegation held meetings with the Makerere University AI Lab, led by Dr. Joyce Nabende of the College of Computing and Information Sciences (COCIS), to explore opportunities for cooperation in artificial intelligence and related emerging technologies.

The team also met officials from the Makerere University International Office, led by Mr. Mathias Ssemanda, where discussions focused on opportunities for strengthening international academic linkages, mobility and institutional partnerships.

A further engagement was held with the Department of Geomatics and Land Management, focusing on materials and remote sensing, led by Prof. Lydia Kayondo from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).

The engagements provided an opportunity for the JICA team and Makerere researchers to move from broad discussions on collaboration to more specific conversations around research interests, expertise, existing projects and potential areas for joint work.

The visit marks an important step towards strengthening Makerere University’s engagement with Japanese and African research institutions under AJ-ASPIRE, while opening opportunities for researchers and students to participate in emerging international networks in artificial intelligence, aerospace engineering, remote sensing and other strategic areas of science, technology and innovation.

Mak Editor

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Undergraduate Admissions: Students allowed to Change Programs/Subjects 2026/27

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1 week ago

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September 2, 2026

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The Office of the Academic Registrar has released lists of students whose applications for change of Programme/Subjects have been approved for the Academic Year 2026/2027.

The lists can be accessed by following the inks below:

Mak Editor

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Uganda to Launch ACT-PREP, Africa’s New Epidemic Preparedness Research Network

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2 weeks ago

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August 28, 2026

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A KCCA Medical Office debriefs the MakSPH Field Epidemiologists and Surveillance Team during the CoVID-19 pandemic. Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda, East Africa.

By Henry Mugenyi

When the next infectious disease outbreak strikes, the question for African researchers should not be whether they have the capacity to conduct the research, but how quickly they can begin.

That is the gap a new five-year research initiative, Advancing Clinical Trials and Epidemic Preparedness Research Capacity in Africa (ACT-PREP), is seeking to address.

The project will be officially launched in Uganda on September 28th, 2026, bringing together researchers and partners from universities and research institutions across Africa and Europe. The launch will be held at the Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Auditorium in Kampala.

Led by Makerere University School of Public Health, ACT-PREP is designed to strengthen Africa’s ability to conduct clinical trials and other research before and during infectious disease outbreaks.

Africa has repeatedly faced epidemics of diseases such as Marburg, Ebola, COVID-19 and other emerging infections. Yet when outbreaks occur, the capacity to quickly generate the evidence needed to guide treatment, prevention and public health decisions remains underdeveloped.

ACT-PREP aims to make research part of outbreak preparedness not something that begins only after an epidemic has already spread.

According to Prof Rhoda Wanyenze, the Principal Investigator on the project, “the initiative will establish a framework for more equitable collaboration among 10 African and two European institutions, working alongside Universities and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)”.

The consortium includes institutions from Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan and Senegal, as well as European partners in Sweden and Germany. Africa CDC is also among the participating institutions.

For Uganda, the launch at Makerere University is significant. The university is taking the scientific lead on a programme that places African research institutions at the centre of efforts to prepare for future epidemics.

One of ACT-PREP’s central ambitions is to address the shortage of researchers and systems capable of rapidly conducting high-quality clinical research during emergencies.

The project will strengthen clinical research, ethics and regulatory capacity, while also supporting laboratory and disease surveillance systems. It will integrate training into PhD and postdoctoral programmes, with the consortium aiming to train at least 700 fellows at the end of the project.

“The idea is straightforward: Africa needs not only laboratories and equipment, but also people with the skills to use them when an outbreak begins” – Says Dr Steven Kabwama, ACT-PREP Project Manager.

Researchers will also be supported to share expertise, data, resources and technology across institutions and national borders.

ACT-PREP will further explore One Health approaches and artificial intelligence-supported systems to improve disease prediction, detection and rapid response. The project also seeks to support more streamlined regulatory processes so that clinical trials can be deployed and monitored more quickly when they are needed.

The experience of recent epidemics has shown that time is one of the most valuable resources in an outbreak.

Delays in detecting a pathogen, setting up research sites, securing ethical and regulatory approvals or generating reliable evidence can affect how quickly health authorities are able to respond.

ACT-PREP is built around the idea that many of these systems should already be in place before the next emergency.

That means having trained researchers, functioning laboratories, established regulatory pathways, surveillance systems and relationships between institutions that can be activated when an outbreak occurs.

It also means changing how research partnerships are built.

Rather than relying on external institutions to arrive when a crisis begins, the project seeks to strengthen African institutions themselves and create longer-term collaborations in which expertise, technology, data and resources can be shared across borders.

Mak Editor

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