Clinical Research Capacity in South Africa

Since 2003, health science faculty members have helped to build clinical research capacity through a partnership with the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa and the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation.

Through an NIH/Fogarty International grant, 40-50 participants from several African countries are selected annually to attend programs that build research capacity related to HIV, TB, and malaria. The programs address good clinical and laboratory practice, clinical infectious diseases, epidemiology and biostatistics, grants preparation and management, and research ethics. By guiding participants as they work through the mechanisms of planning clinical research and producing a mock-application for funding for the project, this uniquely hands-on program provides the experience in planning, execution, and evaluation that is needed for success in clinical research.

To date, the GW-UCT partnership has educated faculty members in UCT who can teach clinical research administration at the master's level. Currently, UCT is developing its own master's degree designed to meet the specific needs of clinical researchers working in sub-Saharan Africa. As these programs thrive, GW continues to explore more opportunities to build collaborations with UCT and other institutions in the region.