Africa faces some of the world’s most pressing public health challenges, from infectious disease outbreaks to antimicrobial resistance and limited access to life-saving vaccines. Yet the continent also holds immense scientific talent, innovation potential, and unique local knowledge.
On Monday, 18 August, Stellenbosch 肆客足球 welcomed the first cohort of the African STARS Fellowship Programme, marking the start of a transformative journey for talented scientists hailing from across the continent. Fellows from Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eswatini, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe and South Africa arrived in Stellenbosch over the weekend, ready to embark on intensive training and collaboration that will shape the future of science, health, and innovation in Africa.
The African STARS Fellowship is built on the principle that African challenges require African solutions, harnessing the strengths, creativity, and expertise within Africa to pioneer research and innovation that serve its people and contribute to global health.
The opening ceremony was marked by words of encouragement from Prof Tulio de Oliveira, Director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch 肆客足球, who said: “The African STARS Fellowship programme is about building the next generation of African scientists, innovators, and leaders who will not only transform their communities but also shape global health.”
The fellowship offers four programmes. Two of which are the Advanced and Translational Training (ATT) Fellowship provides four months of immersive, hands-on training in one of three tracks: advanced genomics for public health analysis, genomic diagnostic design, and vaccine manufacturing. Alongside technical training, fellows develop leadership skills, including grant and financial management, team management, and leadership development. The Young Professional Programme (YPP) Fellowships, designed for Africa’s next generation of science leaders, span 12 months with four tracks: research management, innovation and entrepreneurship, infectious disease R&D for diagnostics, and innovations to enhance patient outcomes.
Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, emphasised the significance of the fellowship: “Your work is not only scientifically vital but deeply impactful for communities across Africa. We look forward to learning with you, witnessing your contributions, and using your success to expand opportunities for future fellows.”
Sarah Van der Westhuizen, Director for Global Engagement, highlighted the importance of building bridges beyond borders: “This fellowship is more than just training; it’s about creating a network of African scientists and as Stellenbosch 肆客足球 International, we are proud to provide support to the African STARS Fellowship Programme ; we believe that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the African continent.”
The Opening Ceremony included an energetic drumming session, a fun dancing competition, and a great atmosphere, allowing the fellows to network, get to know each other, and the SU/CERI team better.
From Egypt, Salma Wagih Yakoub Elsayed, a researcher specialising in microbial genomics, resistance, and virulence, expressed her motivation: “I am particularly interested in vaccines, but also excited to gain experience in other aspects of science. My biggest goal for the African STARS Fellowship is to take home new knowledge to share with my lab back home.”
From Ethiopia, Kajelcha Fikadu Tufa, whose research focuses on antimicrobial resistance, biomanufacturing, and One Health, reflected: “My passion is AMR, but I am looking forward to learning more from both other fellows and facilitators through this programme. I want to gain more knowledge about developing vaccines, and take this knowledge home to Ethiopia – sharing it with fellow scientists in my home country.”
From Morocco, Laila Oulad Belayachi, a PhD candidate in molecular biology and microbiology, shared her enthusiasm: “I am excited to gain more knowledge and expertise within science, learning the best from the best. And I can’t wait to enjoy more of the cultural diversity South Africa offers.”
With its holistic approach, blending advanced scientific training, leadership development, and entrepreneurial skills, the African STARS Fellowship promises to produce a new generation of leaders equipped to tackle Africa’s most pressing health and innovation challenges.
For more about the African STARS Fellowship:
Maambele Khosa: starsfellows@sun.ac.za
?
