New Project Launch Aims to Strengthen Implementation Science Education for Non-Communicable Diseases Across Africa

16 January 2025

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, stakeholders in global health and education will come together for the exciting launch of the IS4NCDs project—an innovative initiative focused on building capacity in implementation science education to better address the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa.

The online event, scheduled from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM CET (3:00 PM to 5:00 PM SAST), promises an engaging program featuring leading experts from across the globe. Dr. Martin Heine of Global Health UMC Utrecht will officially introduce the IS4NCDs project, which seeks to equip the current and future health workforce with the skills needed to effectively translate research into practice for NCD prevention and management.

Professor Byron Powell from Washington University in St. Louis will share his vision for the future of implementation science, highlighting emerging trends and opportunities in this transformative field. Additionally, Professor Susan van Schalkwyk of Stellenbosch University will discuss the vital importance of community-engaged learning methodologies in teaching implementation science, emphasizing how collaborative approaches can increase impact.

The discussion will be chaired by Professor Wilbroad Mutale from The University of Zambia, who will guide conversations around collaboration, innovation, and sustainable education models to combat NCDs across African settings.

As NCDs continue to pose a significant health and economic burden on African populations, this project represents a critical step toward empowering health professionals with the expertise needed to implement scalable solutions. Interested participants are invited to register online to join this pivotal event and contribute to shaping the future of health education in Africa.

This launch marks an important milestone in the fight against NCDs by advancing implementation science capacity tailored to the unique challenges faced by African communities.