Damalie Nakanjako Barbara Castelnuovo Nelson Sewamkambo Tom Kakaire Richard L Brough Elly T Katabira David L Thomas Thomas C Quinn Robert Colebunders Warner C Greene Allan R Ronald Alex Coutinho Keith McAdam David Serwadda Fred Wabwire-Mangen Edward Katongole-Mbidde Philippa Musoke Moses Joloba Henry McKinnell Moses Kamya Harriet Mayanja-Kizza Yukari C Manabe Andrew Kambugu

Keywords: Capacity building; public-private partnership; global epidemic response.

Abstract

The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), established in 2001, was the first autonomous institution of Makerere University set up as an example of what self-governing institutes can do in transforming the academic environment to become a rapidly progressive University addressing the needs of society. This paper describes the success factors and lessons learned in development of sustainable centers of excellence to prepare academic institutions to respond appropriately to current and future challenges to global health.

Key success factors included a) strong collaboration by local and international experts to combat the HIV pandemic, along with b) seed funding from Pfizer Inc., c) longstanding collaboration with Accordia Global Health Foundation to create and sustain institutional strengthening programs, d) development of a critical mass of multi-disciplinary research leaders and managers of the center, and e) a series of strong directors who built strong governance structures to execute the vision of the institute, with subsequent transition to local leadership.

Conclusion: Twenty years of sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital, leadership, and collaborations present Makerere University and the sub-Saharan Africa region with an agile center of excellence with preparedness to meet the current and future challenges to global health.

Keywords: Capacity building; public-private partnership; global epidemic response.

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