The ANTENNA – Training Hubs for Statisticians and Epidemiologists in Eastern, Central and Western Africa project was officially launched on 11 and 12 June 2026 in Senegal, marking the beginning of a new initiative to strengthen training, research and data analysis capacities across Africa. GHTM | Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, NOVA University Lisbon (IHMT NOVA), a partner in the international ANTENNA consortium, participated remotely in the inaugural event.
IHMT NOVA was represented by Maria do Rosário Martins and Miguel Viveiros, Deputy Directors of IHMT NOVA, as well as Ana Abecasis, Sofia Seabraand Inês Alves, researchers from the PRIME and PPS-GHTM Research Groups.
As part of the inaugural meeting, Maria do Rosário Martins, who is also Leader of the PPS-GHTM Research Group, delivered an online presentation entitled “Building Capacity through South-North Collaboration”, highlighting the importance of international partnerships in strengthening scientific and institutional capacities in global health.
Led by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), ANTENNA brings together African institutions and international partners to strengthen capacities in health training, research and data analysis across Eastern, Central and Western Africa. The project will establish specialised training hubs, mentoring programmes and fellowship opportunities, contributing to the development of a regional knowledge network and strengthening the generation and use of scientific evidence to support public health.
The launch programme included sessions focused on the implementation of the project, with particular emphasis on curriculum harmonisation, mentoring programmes, advanced training, and the integration of artificial intelligence and mathematical modelling into education and research.
Participants also highlighted the critical role of strengthening research and data analysis skills in improving epidemiological surveillance and translating scientific evidence into effective health policies across Africa.
Through its participation in ANTENNA, GHTM | IHMT NOVA reinforces its commitment to South-North collaboration, capacity building, and the strengthening of research and training networks in global health, contributing to the development of sustainable scientific capacity and evidence-informed public health systems in Africa.
For more information about the ANTENNA project, its objectives and the official launch, visit the project page here.
