Aga Khan University has partnered with a consortium of 12 top African and European institutions to train the next generation of infectious disease experts.
The BRIDGE Network program aims to equip African researchers with advanced health informatics and data sciences skills, fostering innovation and resilience in the region’s health systems.
The BRIDGE Training Program offers 14 doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships, 20 postgraduate certifications, and collaboration with renowned institutions to train experts in health informatics and infectious diseases, focusing on innovative research.
Jointly funded by the European Union and the Global Health EDCTP3, the program is led by Ghent University and aims to establish five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Benin, and South Africa.
These CoEs will serve as hubs for cutting-edge research, world-class training, and innovative solutions to tackle infectious diseases that continue to claim millions of lives across the African continent.
Speaking at the launch in Nairobi, Prof Pascal Coorevits, Project Coordinator and Professor of Medical Informatics and Statistics at the Ghent University noted that this initiative marks a paradigm shift in infectious disease research in Africa.
“By training a new generation of experts, we are not only addressing local challenges but also contributing to the global fight against pandemics,” he asserted.
According to Coorevits, these efforts aim to close the skills gap in data-driven research and enhance the region’s ability to respond effectively to current and emerging health crises. Hence, by combining advanced academic training with on-the-ground experience, he assured that the BRIDGE Network is creating a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of transforming public health.
Furthermore, the CoEs, he maintained, will not only produce trained experts but also serve as lasting hubs for research and innovation, ensuring the sustainability of these efforts beyond the programme’s duration.
In her remarks, Prof. Marleen Temmerman, Director of Aga Khan University’s Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, East Africa affirmed that Sub-Saharan Africa is at the frontline of the global battle against infectious diseases.
“Through this initiative, we are building capacity where it matters most, empowering local researchers to lead solutions that have both regional and global impact,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, the BRIDGE Network’s mission extends beyond training. It seeks to redefine how Africa tackles infectious diseases, with a focus on local innovation, global collaboration, and data-driven solutions.
This initiative represents a vital step in building resilient health systems that can safeguard populations against current and future health threats.
By Michael Omondi
