CDAE project: dissemination and closing workshop

The Capacity Development of Applied Epidemiologists (CDAE) project, implemented as part of the EDCTP-Africa CDC Epi-Biostat Fellowships, held its Dissemination and Closeout Workshop in Mombasa from January 20-24 January 2025. This workshop brought together several partners, including Amref International University (AMIU), Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), and the 15 Epi-Fellows who benefited from the initiative.

During the workshop, eight supervisors from JOOUST, seven from AMIU, and five representatives from APHRC gathered to discuss the project’s achievements and challenges. The fellows presented their research and publications, sharing success stories that included contributions to journals such as the BMC Malaria Journal, the Epidemiology and Health System Journal, and the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. The supervisors provided valuable guidance on manuscript writing and best practices for structuring publications.

A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was held to gather feedback from the fellows about their training experience. They highlighted the program’s successes and suggested areas for improvement, including the need for additional funding to support PhD studies and a larger grant to accommodate more participants. They emphasised the importance of harmonising the curriculum between AMIU and JOOUST and appreciated the flexibility of online learning, which enabled them to balance their studies, work, and family responsibilities. Many fellows noted that attending conferences, such as the Eleventh EDCTP Forum, funded by the programme, significantly improved their public speaking skills, increasing their confidence in presenting research and engaging with funders. The networking opportunities provided through the program helped several fellows secure leadership positions in their respective countries.

The project’s impact is evident in the career advancements of the fellows, all of whom have graduated with advanced degrees. Several have received promotions, including roles such as Senior Public Health Officer and District Integrated Disease Surveillance Response Coordinator. Others were selected for positions such as Regional IDSR Training Facilitator and part-time lecturer at MUBAS. One fellow was recognised as the Second Runner-up Oral Presenter at the East African Health and Scientific Conference 2023.

Looking ahead, the fellows aspire to pursue PhD programs in Applied Epidemiology and Public Health, mentor emerging epidemiologists, and secure grants for future research and capacity-building initiatives. Strengthening epidemiology networks and fostering stakeholder engagement remain key priorities.

As a next step, the project team plans to conduct a Q&A session with the fellows, which will lead to a blog. They also plan to develop a policy brief to document key findings and inform future capacity-building initiatives.