On October 23, 2024, the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders (IDeAL) and Africa Leadership for Measuring Brain Health in Children and Adolescents (ALMA) hosted a health research career open day at the Serena Hotel. The event brought together 100 recent graduates from universities across Kenya.
This pivotal event was aimed at providing graduates with an opportunity to engage with accomplished Kenyan researchers and explore the diverse career possibilities available within the health research field. Participants had a unique chance to attend interactive sessions, engage in insightful panel discussions, and network with people who have made significant contributions to health research.
In addition, the event aimed to inspire future leaders and foster meaningful connections that would enhance the graduates’ competitiveness in the local and international research careers market.
To foster the development of contextually relevant, evidence-based health solutions, two of Africa’s most innovative research programmes—KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) and Aga Khan University’s Institute for Human Development (IHD)—are offering training and mentorship opportunities to young African scientists. These programmes aim to equip the next generation of researchers with the tools, resources, and mentorship needed to tackle Africa’s most pressing health challenges.
Founded in 2008, IDeAL was launched to address a critical gap in Africa’s health research capacity, particularly in infectious diseases. Since its inception, IDeAL has trained over 800 students, many of whom have gone on to assume leadership roles in both local and global health research. The programme’s graduates have made significant contributions to understanding diseases like malaria and COVID-19, and their research continues to influence vaccine development and shape health policy across Africa.
Now in its second phase, IDeAL 2.0 is expanding its reach beyond East Africa, establishing formal partnerships with institutions in Zambia, Niger, the UK, and Kenya. By working together with these institutions, IDeAL 2.0 is offering students access to a diverse and high-quality research ecosystem. This collaborative approach helps nurture independent researchers who are ready to lead efforts to combat diseases such as malaria, COVID-19, and emerging infectious diseases.
At the IDeAL 2.0 Open Day, Professor Samson Kinyanjui, Director of IDeAL, emphasized the programme’s evolving focus on emerging health threats: “Our work on infectious diseases continues to grow, with an expanding focus on emerging threats like COVID-19. Through our ‘attract, train, retain, and transform’ framework, we are attracting young African graduates into research, providing them with world-class training and the support they need to become transformative leaders in global health.”
Another flagship programme under IHD is ALMA (Africa Leadership for Measuring Brain Health in Children and Adolescents). This programme aims to advance brain health research across Africa, with a particular focus on children and adolescents. Operating in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa, ALMA brings cutting-edge neuroscience to the African context, with a strong emphasis on empowering female neuroscientists and addressing brain health disparities across the continent.
Through ALMA, students gain access to state-of-the-art research resources, collaborative mentorship, and invaluable opportunities to work with leading institutions such as the University of Cape Town (South Africa), University of Zambia, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Malawi), University of Oxford (UK), and Massachusetts General Hospital (USA).
At the Open Day, Professor Amina Abubakar, Director of IHD and co-director of ALMA, shared the programme’s transformative mission: “We are training the next generation of neuroscientists in Africa to understand brain health, particularly in children and adolescents. By equipping them with the skills to assess neuropsychological and neurophysiological development, we are empowering them to identify developmental delays and disabilities in their communities, ultimately improving outcomes for future generations.”
Both ALMA and IDeAL 2.0 are united in their mission to build sustainable health research capacity across Africa. These initiatives are not only training the next generation of health researchers but also ensuring that they remain on the continent where they can make the most impact. By providing robust mentorship, access to cutting-edge research resources, and opportunities for international collaboration, these programmes are helping to cultivate a strong network of health research leaders who will shape Africa’s future healthcare landscape.
The Science for Africa Foundation, with support from Wellcome and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, is proud to fund these transformative programmes. Their investment in African health research is an investment in the continent’s future—one where African scientists are at the forefront of addressing the most pressing health challenges facing the region.
As ALMA and IDeAL 2.0 continue to grow, Africa’s research landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. The future of the continent’s health systems will depend on the strength and diversity of its research base, and programmes like ALMA and IDeAL are ensuring that this base is not only stronger but also more inclusive, diverse, and capable than ever before.
Africa’s health future is in the hands of its emerging research leaders—those who are driving change, building knowledge, and crafting solutions that are relevant and impactful across the continent. As these initiatives continue to shape the next generation of African health leaders, the continent stands poised to tackle its most pressing health challenges with confidence and innovation.