Dr Misaki Wayengera (TMA2016CDF1545) announced in 30 finalists for WHO Innovation Challenge!
The top 30 health-oriented innovations selected from a field of more than 2 400 entries to the first-ever WHO Innovation Challenge will be presented on opening day of the second WHO Africa Health Forum in Praia, Cabo Verde, on 26 March 2019.
The WHO Innovation Challenge received a total of 2 471 applications in just four weeks from 77 countries – 44 countries in Africa. A panel of independent evaluators assessed and profiled the innovations in terms of the potential for making impact as well as ability to be scaled up in a sustainable way. More than a third of the submissions came from women.
In addition to showcasing the 30 best-profiled innovations during the three-day WHO Africa Health Forum in Cabo Verde, other innovations that were submitted will be exhibited on our dynamic virtual marketplace platform currently under development. When fully operational, the platform will connect diverse stakeholders, ranging from government ministry officials and health experts to academics, business angels and investors to support further development and the scaling up of these ideas.
Among all the applications received, 639 made it through to the evaluation phase. This is a reflection of the challenges that innovators face in making progress from ideas to development and eventual broad-based application of their solutions. Investments in the innovation ecosystem that are complemented by innovation-friendly policies remain critical for further encouraging and supporting development of innovative solutions to solve Africa’s health challenges.
https://afro.who.int/news/who-innovation-challenge-announce-30-finalists-africa-health-forum-cabo-verde
http://innov.afro.who.int/innovators/dr-misaki-wayengera-34
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13Th Edition Of The Edctp Forum To Take Place In Madrid, Spain, From 5 To 9 April 2027
We are delighted to announce that the 13th edition of the EDCTP Forum will be celebrated on 5-9 April 2027, at IFEMA Palacio Municipal in Madrid, Spain.
The event will be co-hosted by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) under the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the Fundación CSAI (FCSAI) under the Ministry of Health, and is co-organised by Global Health EDCTP3 and the EDCTP Association.
Over the past two decades, the biennial European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Forum has evolved to become a cornerstone event for global health research, bringing together leading voices advancing the fight against infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. It showcases the latest scientific breakthroughs, highlights impactful capacity-building efforts, and creates a space for vibrant cross-regional collaboration.
The EDCTP Forum 2027 expects to convene 1,500 participants and stakeholders, from researchers, universities and clinicians to governments, regional bodies, civil society, regulators, and public and private R&D partners, drawing participation primarily from Africa and Europe.
Dr Tuelo Mogashoa Becomes First Tagendi Phd Graduate
Botswana-born scientist Dr Tuelo Mogashoa, a PhD Fellow in the ‘Addressing Gender and Diversity Regional Gaps in Clinical Research Capacity’ (TAGENDI) programme, has successfully defended her PhD in Molecular Biology (Tuberculosis Genomics) at Stellenbosch University. Her virtual oral examination, held on 12 January 2025, marked the culmination of years of research and training.
Her doctoral thesis, titled “Rifampicin- resistant tuberculosis: an emerging threat to human health in Botswana,” addresses one of the most pressing challenges in TB control.
Dr Mogashoa is the first of seven PhD fellows from the inaugural TAGENDI cohort to complete her doctoral studies. The TAGENDI fellowship, implemented under the Trials of Excellence in Southern Africa (TESA) Network, is part of a dedicated PhD fellowship scheme launched by EDCTP2 in 2020 to support women in health research across sub-Saharan Africa. Coordinated by the EDCTP Networks of Excellence, the initiative received funding from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (Department of Health and Social Care).
As part of her PhD requirements, Dr Mogashoa was expected to produce four manuscripts, with at least two accepted in peer-reviewed journals. She has exceeded this requirement, publishing three peer-reviewed articles from her doctoral work, with a fourth manuscript currently under review.
Her journey highlights the transformative impact of long-term investment in research training, mentorship, and gender equity. As she moves into the next phase of her career, her work promises to make a meaningful contribution to improving TB diagnosis, treatment, and control.
More information:
- Dr Tuelo Mogashoa Successfully Defends PhD in TB Genomics
- Tuelo’s journey: building Botswana’s capacity for cutting-edge health research
Prof. Novel Chegou Elected As Fellow Of The African Academy Of Sciences
Prof. Novel Chegou, EDCTP Senior Fellow and Acting Head of the Division of Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, has been elected as a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences. This important achievement recognises his scientific leadership and impactful research on tuberculosis, particularly his work on biomarkers to improve diagnosis and patient care in resource-limited settings.
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