Collaboration Essential for Advancing Research and Public Health, Says UI Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, FAS, mni, has emphasized that collaboration remains central to conducting impactful research and strengthening health systems across Africa.

He reaffirmed the University’s dedication to fostering partnerships that drive innovation, capacity building, and sustainable development in public health.

Professor Adebowale made these remarks while receiving a delegation from the Strengthening Health Systems Capacity in Africa for Pandemic Equity and Responsiveness (SHARPER) project, led by the Principal Investigator, Professor Ademola Ajuwon, of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted that meaningful research in the modern era thrives on teamwork and institutional synergy rather than isolation. He commended the SHARPER initiative for bringing together six African institutions to tackle shared challenges in health research and system resilience. He further assured the visiting team of the University’s full support in ensuring the successful implementation of the project.

Speaking earlier, Professor Ajuwon explained that SHARPER is a six-year project funded by the Science for Africa Foundation in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The initiative, he said, seeks to strengthen the capacity of African regulatory bodies and ethics committees to better respond to pandemics and health emergencies.

According to him, the consortium comprises six partner institutions — the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (Nigeria); University of Cape Town (South Africa); Tropical Institute for Health and Development (Kenya); Afya Naki Institute (Uganda); Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Malawi); and the Cameroon Bioethics Initiative (Cameroon) — with the University of Ibadan serving as the lead institution.

Professor Ajuwon noted that the consortium’s inception meeting, held from September 22 to 24, 2025, focused on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and outlining subsequent project activities. He added that SHARPER will offer Catalyst, Innovation, and Exchange Grants, alongside staff exchange programmes to deepen collaboration among the partner universities.

Other members of the SHARPER consortium who joined the visit included Dr. Marlise Richter (University of Cape Town), Professor Godfrey Tangwe (CAMBIN, Cameroon), Professor Hawen Paremoer (University of Cape Town), Mr. Baguma Christopher (Afya Naki Institute, Uganda), and Professor Leslie London (University of Cape Town).