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Capacity Building in Integrated Management of Transboundary Animal Diseases and Zoonoses in Eastern and Central Africa (CIMTRADZ). Lead institutions: Makerere University, Uganda North Dakota State University, USA. Program Partners (Africa). University of Nairobi, Kenya
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Capacity Building in Integrated Management of Transboundary Animal Diseases and Zoonoses in Eastern and Central Africa(CIMTRADZ) Lead institutions: Makerere University, UgandaNorth Dakota State University, USA
Program Partners (Africa) • University of Nairobi, Kenya • Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania • Mekelle University, Ethiopia • Umutara Polytechnic University, Rwanda • Sheik Technical Veterinary School, Somalia • Africa Field Epidemiology Network - NGO • Conservation Through Public Health -NGO • Terra Nouva, Eastern Africa – NGO • Uganda Veterinary Association -NGO
Program Partners (USA and Canada) • Michigan State University. USA • Columbus State University, USA • Washington State University, USA • Kansas State University, USA • University of Minnesota, USA • University of Saskatchewan, Canada
CIMTRADZ ***************************************** Global Initiative for Disease Surveillance in Africa (ECA) through CIMTRADZ (Capacity-Building in Integrated Management of Transboundary Animal Diseases & Zoonoses) by AFRUS-IDM (Africa-US Integrated Disease Management Network) Appropriating One World One HealthStrategy *****************************************
What is institutional capacity building? • Curriculum Development• • Dual or Joint Degrees• • Faculty Exchanges• • Joint Research• • Scholarships• • Community Outreach• • National and International Conferences• • Sustainable Partnerships
The Problem Model • At least 70% of the human and animal pathogens affecting global trade are found in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Eastern and Central Africa. • Gross Domestic Product (GDP) < US $360, • Food insecurity - malnutrition rates of 34%, • Africa’s share of global trade in livestock products - 1991 (5%) 2009 (< 2%)
Network Vision, Mission, Goal • Vision:To be a leading higher education consortium for excellence in integrated disease management and socio-economic development in Africa.
Network Vision, Mission, Goal • Vision:To be a leading higher education consortium for excellence in integrated disease management and socio-economic development in Africa. • Mission: To transform a consortium of higher education institutions into development change agents.
Network Vision, Mission, Goal • Vision:To be a leading higher education consortium for excellence in integrated disease management and socio-economic development in Africa. • Mission: To transform a consortium of higher education institutions into development change agents. • Goal: To empower food security, animal and public health systems for sustainable community development in Eastern and Central Africa.
Network Strategic Objectives • To establish a culture-centred approach in the development of a collaborative relationship between higher education stakeholders in Africa and the US • Develop an integrated and coordinated surveillance system for zoonotic and transboundary diseases; building animal, human and environmental diagnostic capacity.
Network Strategic Objectives • Develop capacity for enhanced research addressing zoonotic and transbounday diseases in Africa, • collaborative research programs, • scientific workshops, • grant management, • data-sharing initiatives, • documentation of research deliverables and dissemination of new information.
Network Strategic Objectives • Improve educational capacity and outreach activity through development of education initiatives, including: • joint degrees, • distance education, • and integration of student outreach through research, advocacy and servant leadership.
Network Strategic Objectives • The network was to build upon experience gained from ongoing initiatives which included: • International Animal Production, Disease Surveillance & Public Health course that has been conducted jointly by Makerere and NDSU since 2007 • The joint NDSU/Makerere MS degree & Graduate Certificate in International Infectious Disease Management and Biosecurity, which has now been approved at both institutions (August & Sept, 2011).
Chronology In 2007, • North Dakota State University (NDSU) & Makerere University (MAK) jointly developed a course “International Animal Production Disease Surveillance & Public Health”. • USAID Africa-US Higher Education initiative for Development using Higher Education Institutions.
In 2008, • NDSU & MAK applied for & successfully obtained a USDA Higher Education Challenge grant ($142,000) to upgrade the summer course into a Joint M.S. & Undergraduate & Graduate Certificates in International Infectious Disease Management & Biosecurity (IDM). That program is now approved at both institutions (NDSU & MAK). This grant is supporting 4 MS-IDM students with scholarships (3 US students & 1 from Ethiopia).
In 2008, • In October, 2008, USAID held a meeting in Kigali, Rwanda to finalize the RFA for Africa-US Initiatives in Higher Education for Development. • NDSU & MAK were one of 33 partnerships (out of more than 300 applications) that successfully applied for a planning grant($50,000) from USAID/HED to plan & develop a 10-year strategic proposal in 6 months (June 2009-November 2009)
In 2009, • Summer 2009 – held Planning meetings • 3 in East. Africa (2 in Kampala, Uganda & 1 in Nairobi, Kenya) • 3 meetings with USAID mission in Uganda, • one meeting with USAID East Africa regional office in Nairobi, Kenya • August 26-29 - US PI, Head of Dept. VMS (Dr. Freeman) attend The Partners Conference in Accra, Ghana. Attendees included all US and African PIs, USAID officers from Washington DC & missions in Africa, funding agencies (The World Bank, African Development Bank, etc). PIs presented draft strategic plans for critique.
In 2009, Continued • October 2009 – Final Planning meeting at NDSU involving US & Canadian partners & MAK partners (including Dean Kabasa, Director of Graduate Studies (Dr. Katunguka) & his deputy (Dr. Nasinyama) & Dr. Ejobi, Head Dept. VPH/PM. • November 30, 2009 -The 10 year Strategic Plan was submitted to HED/USAID. (5 year budget of 28M)
In 2010 • April 2010, we were notified by HED that NDSU & MAK strategic plan was one of 11 out of 33 selected for funding. • Two year funding ($1.1M) was awarded (instead of >2M requested for 2 years & 28M for 5 years).
In 2010 • June 2010 – Meeting in Uganda called by HED – Attendees included NDSU/HED/ USAID/MAK partners. • NDSU represented by US PI & 2 other faculty from VMS Dept (Dr. J. McEvoy & Dr. J. Schuh). • Dr. John Kaneene (MSU) & Dr. Florence Wakoko-Studstill (CSU) also attended • Purpose of the meeting -develop 2-year proposal & meet with MAK, USAID & HED staff for their input. • HED & USAID met to discuss their sub award
In 2011 • January 28, 2011 USAID-Uganda/HED agreement signed (after7 months of negotiation); • February 28, 2011 - HED invited all PIs and SPA staff from all the 11 US institutions for a workshop in Washington DC on USAID regulations & compliance • March, 2011- HED sends draft subaward to NDSU
In 2011 • April, 2011 -Several disease outbreaks occur in Uganda including Brucellosis, anthrax & yellow fever. • US PI and US partners agreed to send Dr. Kaneene from Michigan State University (Because of his expertise in Disease Outbreak Investigation & on Brucellosis in particular) to provide consultation to the team in Uganda investigating Brucellosis.
2011 • April 27 – HED signed the subagreement & forwarded it to NDSU. • May 4, 2011 – NDSU/HED agreement signed (after 3 months negotiation). • Discussions on NDSU/MAK subaward start. Funding method is discussed; fixed price/Cost re-imbursement, Advance with cost re-imbursement format.
2011 • May –January 2012 (after 7 months of negotiation)NDSU/MAK subaward – signed. • Issues addressed during that time: • IRB/IACUC protocols, • financial model • salary payments for MAK staff. • Several budget modifications to HED
2011 • September, 2011- HED approved budget modifications; spending for 1st year was capped at $570,596. • 4 of the 11 agreements had caps – based on the budget situation at the local missions. • Mak faculty on strike
Some Challenges experienced. • Determining a model to use in disbursing funds from NDSU to MAK • Determining salary scale for African partners (Program Director & Manager) that is fair & equitable to US counterparts. • Getting Institutional approvals (Institutional Review Board (IRB) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) & Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) in time from The Uganda National Council for Science & Technology & from NDSU in order to respond to Brucellosis outbreak in Uganda
Some Challenges experienced. 4.Getting students required laboratory safety training in time & institutional review approvals (IRB, IACUC, IBC) before initiating research involving students – in Uganda 5. Finding out later after budgeting (October 2011) that we have a limit (cap) on funds that could be spent during the 1st year ie only 574,000 of the $1,100,000. 6. Assisting African partners to understand the federal regulations that US institutions have to comply with during the grant implementation process. 7. Makerere strike
Some Challenges experienced. 8. Efficient communication between all parties involved in the grant – US & African partners + administrators. Regular teleconferences were held only between the US PI & US partners but not between US partners & African partners due to lack of facilities.
Ways Challenges could have been addressed. • HED could have helped in sharing information with partners on successful models that have worked with other US-Africa partnerships in disbursing funds from US to Africa institutions. • In case of a disease outbreak situation, expedited reviews from approving institutions to shorten the response time. • Student training & institutional approvals to be completed ahead of time of initiating the training.
Ways Challenges could have been addressed. 4. HED to provide training on compliance with USAID regulations to both US & African partners early on in the project. 5.Telecommunication system should be established to facilitate regular & efficient communication between US & African partners. This helps establish transparency & builds trust between the partners