///IDEA: Consortium for Development of Sustainable Research Based Fellowship Training on Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Africa

IDEA: Consortium for Development of Sustainable Research Based Fellowship Training on Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Africa

Project at a glance

Coordinator: Prof Peter Olupot-Olupot, Busitema University, Uganda
Consortium partners: Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation – Uganda (MoSTI), Uganda National Health Research Organisation (UNHRO),  Infectious Diseases Institute Limited (IDI),  Uganda National Health Laboratory Services (UNHLS), Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH), The Open University, Mbale Clinical Research Institute
Country of Fellow: Uganda
Grant number: CSA2020E-3126

In Uganda, advancement in field epidemiology lags behind evidence-based public health action on outbreaks and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The current non-degree awarding, non-career training programmes in general field epidemiology in Uganda fall short of the WHO International Health Regulations standards. Through a consortium approach, the IDEA Fellowship Programme has involved key stakeholders to implement the first national infectious disease field epidemiology Master’s programme. The consortium led by Busitema University has eight partners: Uganda National Public Health Institute; Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation; Uganda National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services; Uganda Virus Research Institute, Mbale Clinical Research Institute; Infectious Diseases Institute; and The Open University as a northern partner.

The overarching objective of the IDEA Fellowship programme is to train the next generation of infectious disease field epidemiologists in conducting disease surveillance, outbreak investigations and timely response, and translating data into evidence-based practice in Uganda. Ten African early-to-mid career scientists will be trained through a comprehensive, practical and hands-on Master’s in Science training in infectious disease epidemiology. The time allotted to the programme is:

  • 20% intensive foundational and advanced epidemiology and biostatistics.
  • 70% rigorous infectious disease field epidemiology.
  • 10% dissertation research project in field epidemiology.

The Fellows

 

Jimmy Patrick Alunyo

 

 

 

 

 

Deborah Aujo

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Baluku

 

 

 

 

 

Patience Birungi

 

 

 

 

 

Mathias Ngobi Bogere

 

 

 

 

 

Micheal Mandeje

 

 

 

 

 

Grace Nabaggala Ssanyu

 

 

 

 

 

Allen Namala

 

 

 

 

 

Edity Namyalo

 

 

 

 

 

Marble Nasasira

 

 

 

 

 
Charles Benard Okalebo
 

 

 

 

 

William Okiror
 

 

 

 

 

Godfrey Opolot
 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Oposhia
 

 

 

 

 
George Paasi