The
Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA), a joint
initiative of the Wits School of Public Health and the African
Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Nairobi, has been awarded
a ₤3.2-million (R42,766,379) grant from the Wellcome Trust, the largest
charity in the United Kingdom.
CARTA
was launched on Monday, 20 July 2009 at Wits University. Prof. Loyiso
Nongxa, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits University said that the
CARTA programme is in line with Wits' 2010 vision and at the same time
is expanding Wits' footprint in Africa. He added that CARTA is distinct
for its focus on 'second-generation' or complimentary partnerships.
"CARTA presents a model of what is possible when academia and leadership
work together to produce a distinctive programme that has far-reaching
benefits for the continent," said Nongxa. "It will also go a long way to
address issues around academic and intellectual isolation."
The
grant kick-started CARTA's vision to develop the capacity of African
universities to produce globally competitive graduates who will lead
research to improve health and development in Africa. Africa carries a
disproportionate illness burden and is the focus of many research
questions. Yet research output in this area remains at just 0.3% of the
world's total research output. CARTA is an initiative of 10 African
universities, four African research institutes and a number of northern
partners.
Dr
Alex Ezeh, APHRC's Executive Director believes that CARTA will greatly
improve research capacity in the region. "Research capacity is
inadequate in Africa and existing research capacity strengthening
programmes and collaborative partnerships in Africa are largely driven
by northern academic and research institutions. The launch of CARTA will
greatly assist the African agenda," says Ezeh. "The Wellcome Trust
grant of $3.2M will put us on the path to realising the CARTA dream but
we still need significantly more resources to revolutionise doctoral
training in African universities."
Prof.
Sharon Fonn from the Wits School of Public Health and Deputy Director
of CARTA considers that the careful partnerships built through this
consortium recognises that no African university can do this alone and
that the northern partners who have joined are committed to developing
African capacity in Africa rather than using Africa as a research site
for their own publication output. "Not only are we aiming to produce a
critical mass of highly-skilled, locally-trained scholars and developing
multidisciplinary research hubs at African universities but more
importantly, we are refocusing research attention to improve wellbeing
in Africa," comments Fonn.
CARTA
aims to address the dearth of African scientists engaged in research on
the continent by building and retaining a vibrant African academy able
to lead world-class multidisciplinary research that impacts positively
on public and population health, produces networks of locally-trained,
internationally recognised researchers and scholars and enhances the
capacity of African universities to lead and manage globally competitive
research and training programmes.
CARTA
will achieve this through a model doctoral training programme with
strong supervision and mentoring, and by strengthening research
infrastructure and capacity at African institutions.