AFRO-NETS> Call for Development of Master's Course in Field Epidemiology

[Dieter Neuvians MD <neuvians@mweb.co.za>]

Call for Development of Master's Course in Field Epidemiology
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Source:tdr-scientists@who.int

INDEPTH Scientific Development and Leadership Programme

Call for applications from African Academic Institutions to Develop a 
Master's Course in Field Epidemiology

The INDEPTH-Network is an international network of field sites in Af-
rica and Asia with continuous demographic evaluation of populations 
and their health in developing countries. The demographic surveil-
lance system (DSS) sites generate high quality, population-based, 
health and demographic data on longitudinal basis, and constitute a 
critical resource of valid, population-based information in much of 
the developing world. INDEPTH harnesses the collective potential of 
these initiatives to provide a better empirical understanding of 
health and social issues and to apply this understanding to alleviate 
the most severe health and social challenges.

In line with the objectives of INDEPTH's Scientific Development and 
Leadership programme, the INDEPTH network is looking for an African 
University to partner it in the development and implementation of a 
Master's course in Population-based Field Epidemiology and, over the 
longer term, to extend the programme to a distance learning module.

Master's Programme

The programme should provide multi-disciplinary field-based and prob-
lem-oriented research training that combines:

* epidemiology and research methodology,
* biostatistics and data management,
* demography and other social sciences with a thorough understanding
  of relevant new and emerging
* information technologies, with a focus on demographic and health
  surveillance in developing countries.

Graduates would be expected to be able to identify key biomedical and 
public health problems that may be addressed by epidemiological or 
demographic studies and design solutions to those problems; have the 
appropriate analytical skills and can understand, plan and execute 
field-based scientific research; and have good communication skills 
to make research results understandable to diverse audiences. The 
Master's degree programme should include core courses in the above 
four priority areas, electives related to field work, field work in 
an INDEPTH site, and a thesis/research paper. The goal of this mas-
ter's programme is to develop a genre of African Scientists with a 
demonstrable skill in applied research. Graduates of the programme 
who show exceptional promise will be identified for further training 
(PhD).

Distance Learning Course

In recent years several universities in the developed countries have 
invested substantially in the development of distance-learning 
courses on the principles and practice of epidemiology at the Diploma 
and Master's level, on a full-time and part-time basis. Many of the 
study modules developed for these course would be relevant to the 
proposed INDEPTH course but additional modules would be required on, 
for example, demographic and social science topics relevant to demo-
graphic surveillance and field research. INDEPTH and its partners 
will work with the successful candidate over a 3-5 year period to:

* adapt existing study modules to suit the objectives of the new 
  course
* collaborate in the development of new modules
* transfer the knowledge and skills necessary for the running of dis-
  tance-based learning on courses and the development of new courses 
  to the selected African University

As part of the development process, the partners and the African Uni-
versity, in collaboration with those experienced in management train-
ing and development would produce new distance-based modules on lead-
ership training. These might be taken either as stand-alone modules 
or as an integral part of the Master's course.

Selection Process

INDEPTH, in cooperation with the Special Programme for Research and 
Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO/TDR) will advertise the concept to 
African universities, especially in those countries where INDEPTH has 
member sites. Proposals will be requested from appropriate faculties 
to establish a graduate programme that is tailored to suit the 
INDEPTH Scientific Development and Leadership Programme. One Univer-
sity in Africa will be initially selected to start the programme. The 
successful candidate will be selected by INDEPTH and subscribing or-
ganizations through a transparent process.

Grant Support

The grant would cover an initial period of three years and provide up 
to US$ 100,000 seed money annually to the participating university. 
It is expected the participating university will be able to attract 
additional funding for the programme after the 3 year period. For the 
first three years, 5-10 scholarships will be offered annually by 
INDEPTH and its partners.

Application

Applications should be submitted with the following documentation:

1. A letter from the authority responsible for approving academic 
   programmes indicating their interest in developing such a programme.
2. An institutional profile that includes structure, courses avail-
   able, degrees offered and academic staff.
3. Details of the proposed Master's programme.
4. Available facilities and capabilities related to the proposed 
   course.
5. Curriculum Vitae of staff directly involved in the proposed pro-
   gramme or post-description of staff to be recruited.
6. Timetable.
7. Budget.

How to apply

All applications must be received by 2 May 2003 at the following ad-
dress:
INDEPTH Network
9 Adenkum Loop, Kanda
P.O. Box 213
Kanda, Accra, Ghana
mailto:indepth@indepth-network.org
(We encourage applicants to submit applications by e-mail)
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