Cameroon: PRD College International advanced Training Programme in Biomedicine and Development

The Poverty Related Diseases College coordinated by the University of Yaounde I is pleased to announce its first call for the International advanced Training Programme in Biomedicine and Development. The programme bridges the gap between the biological sciences, health and development in Africa by training scientists to perform research on diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and applying it to sustainable development.
PRD College will award up to 24 fellowships to MD graduates registered for PhD, PhD Students or Post-Docs from Africa and Europe. The programme starts in January 2010 and will last for two and a half years having the following components:
The first course module (Makerere University, Uganda) will cover basic notions in the molecular biosciences and infection biology including the cellular and molecular basis of disease, immune evasion, management and prevention of PR&ND. Interactions between chronic non-communicable diseases and polymicrobial infections in the tropics will be covered. Students will then decide to study the fundamentals of epidemiology in combination with either pharmacology or vector control. Hands-on practical experience will be conducted for purposes of technology transfer. Alternatively students can choose to develop a specialised package topic in conjunction with a facilitator whose expertise is within the consortium. They must carry on with these specialized packages into the advanced course. The second module, (the advanced course) in ICGEB (Cape Town Component, South Africa) will take on the same themes as above but focused on translational research with applications to technologies that address health and development. The third course module (University of Yaounde I) will offer a wide range of topics targeting the increase of soft skills – leadership & management, culture context training, fundamentals of diplomacy, pedagogy and communication, intellectual property and knowledge management. In the science exchange programme the African participant will visit the northern partner laboratory during the twinning process and work alongside the European participant, while during the development reality-check internship the European participant will visit the African institution.

Course Timelines
April 2010: 3 weeks training at Makerere University, Uganda (Basic) Nov/Dec 2010: 3 weeks training at International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, South Africa (Advanced)
Jan 2011 – August 2011 3 months Reality Check at African Institutions* August 2011 3 weeks training at University of Yaounde I, Cameroon (Soft Skills)
Oct 2011 – March 2012 4 months Science Exchange Programme at European Institutions*

April 2012 3 days outlook meeting
*These components will be implemented through twinning of the African and European participants.
Students should have institutional support for this activity. The intensive training courses will be taught by researchers from partner and other Institutions; Partner institutions are:
• University of Yaounde I, Cameroon
• Makerere University, Uganda
• International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), South Africa
• Tropical Disease Research Center, Zambia
• Mbeya Medical Research Programme, Tanzania
• Stockholm University, Sweden
• Max Planck Institute, Germany
• Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy
• Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• Go Africa, Germany

Expected outcomes
The expected impact of this programme is the creation of a research environment, where highly innovative ideas are conceived and new approaches can be developed to manage PRD and neglected diseases. The emphasis lies on promoting translational research and the creation of partnerships between European and African research institutions. It is expected that the PRD College will serve as a model through which African nations and the EU can strengthen and adapt their development cooperation in the new global context. The PRD College is an investment in collaborative research.

Cost
Each successful applicant will be sponsored for travel, accommodation and subsistence during courses and exchanges. No other expenses such as per diems will be covered

Eligibility
Enrolment and admissions will be based on the following selection criteria.
• MD graduates or bio-scientists who are PhD students or
• Recently graduated PhDs within 3 yrs
• be enrolled at a University or be employed at a research institution
• candidates currently working on PR&ND will have an advantage

How to apply
PRD College targets research institutions as well as individual scientists from Europe and Africa. Therefore the following documents must be submitted for the application to be considered:
1. Completed application form including a photograph
2. CV of applicant
3. LOI from applicant expressing interest.
4. One reference letter external to the applicants department/institution
5. Letter of institutional or supervisors commitment demonstrating financial support and interest in the twinning programme.
All submissions should be in English. Letters of reference might also be sent in French. The submission should preferably be done by email to [email][email protected] or through the website at or write to [email][email protected]