TIMERA

Despite the high burden of infectious diseases capacity for infectious disease models concentrates in the Global North. International collaboration is crucial to build African capacity in modelling so as to strengthen preparedness for future pandemics. We propose a Training Initiative for Modeling Epidemic Response in Africa (TIMERA) as a three-year collaborative project to strengthen local capacity in modelling. TIMERA is designed as a comprehensive short term training programme that will respond to the capacity building needs of national public health institutes (NPHIs) and research centers in Africa. By levering on experiences gained and Africa-wide networks created under the FELTP program, TIMERA aims to empower Africa-based researchers with skills needed to conduct infectious disease modelling and enhance capacity to respond effectively to outbreaks and pandemics. A total of 50 trainees across Africa will benefit from the TIMERA’s innovative approach in the application of mathematical modeling of infectious diseases of epidemiological importance for the respective contexts they are from. TIMERA is an Africa-led consortium composed of three African institutions - one Anglophone (Ethiopia), one Francophone (Senegal) and a Lusophone (Mozambique) countries and two European institutions from the Netherlands: Radboud University Medical Center (which has strong biostatistics and mathematical modeling capacity) and KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation (which has strong experience in working with and building the capacity of NPHIs). The TIMERA core methodology will be provision of quality short course advanced training in AI supported epidemiological modeling with the following pillars; high caliber didactic classroom teaching in Epidemiology and Biostatistics; intensive and structured field-based research practicum; scholarly mentorship and supervision; hands-on guidance on policy level communication and evidence dissemination, and public health system and data leadership.