Researchers from 13 African countries meet with IZSAM experts
The Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale” (IZSAM) organised the workshop titled “Strengthening research capacity in veterinary science through the consolidation of a collaborative network” with the participation of representatives of National Competent Authorities, Laboratories, Universities from 12 invited African countries. The event took place at the International Centre for Veterinary Training and Information (CIFIV), in Teramo, Italy on 1-2 March 2017.
Delegates from National Competent Authorities, National Central Laboratories and Universities of Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe met the historical partner, the IZSAM, to strengthen scientific relationships and to take advantage from the application of the results to the field of diagnosis and prevention of infectious diseases.
The aim of the workshop is to assess how collaborative networks, established by IZSAM in the last decades thanks to international projects carried out with African partner institutions, can be improved in order to mutually increase research capacities and optimise exchanges in terms of scientific knowledge, researcher mobility, access to logistics and technical resources. The strengthening of synergic durable relationships may foster the development of research initiatives, oriented to the promotion of veterinary public health and the stimulation of sustainable development processes.
The workshop represented an opportunity for IZSAM and the invited countries and organisations to assess the results of the existing collaborative relationships and the research developed so far, in order to identify relevant and shared research objectives and appraise opportunities for collaboration and contributions arising from the network. The event favoured exchange and interaction between the Italian and African research reality and entities, representing the private sector and civil society, operating in Africa with a public-private partnership. The Italian Ministry of Health and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sustained the organisation of the workshop, providing their contribution to the achievement of the workshop goals. Other Italian Istituti Zooprofilattici Sperimentali (IIZZSS) was invited to provide their contribution and expertise. The objectives of the workshop was: to define research capacity, to identify future areas of collaboration and research priorities defined in national strategic plans and to build a road map in order to outline future and shared commitments for 2017-2021.
