This week, the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) hosted a delegation from the University of Glasgow (UoG) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen research collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two institutions.

The delegation included Prof. Chris Pearce, Vice Principal for Research and Knowledge Exchange, and Mary Ryan, International Research Development Manager, who visited the Institute’s offices in Ifakara, Morogoro, from January 6–7, 2026.

The visit aimed to strengthen ongoing collaboration by showcasing IHI’s research platforms, sharing experiences, and exploring new opportunities for future joint work. The guests were accompanied by Dr. Zawadi Mageni Mboma, Ifakara’s Business Development and Partnerships Specialist.

Field visit to Lupiro

The visit kicked-off with a field trip to Lupiro, where the delegation toured IHI’s experimental hut facilities used for vector research. These facilities included the East African Huts, West African Huts, Ifakara Tented Huts, and Rapley Huts, which play a key role in testing and evaluating malaria vector control tools.

While in Lupiro, the guests were also introduced to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) activities and an ongoing rabies control project implemented at Lupiro Health Facility in Mahenge, Ulanga District, where they learned about how ongoing projects contribute to improving public health outcomes at the community level

Tour of research facilities

On the second day, the delegation visited several IHI research facilities in Ifakara including the VectorSphere facilities, where researchers showcased ongoing work under major projects, including Deep Surveillance, Deep Oncho, Anopheles Africa II, and Deep Transmission. The visitors learned first-hand how advanced surveillance and vector research are supporting disease control efforts in Tanzania and beyond.

Finalizing the visit, the guests traveled to Kining’ina to tour “Mosquito City,” a unique facility where IHI conducts large-scale vector control and mosquito ecology research.

Strengthening long-term collaboration

The visit provided an opportunity for in-depth discussions on shared research interests, capacity strengthening, and potential future joint projects between IHI and the UoG. It also strengthened the long-standing partnership between the two institutions in advancing global health research.

More about the Ifakara-UoG partnership

The IHI–UoG partnership brings together the strengths of the two institutions to advance joint research, capacity building, and postgraduate education. The partnership focuses on key public health priorities, including malaria, environmental health, and other data-driven health challenges. It supports the training of MSc and PhD candidates, enhances research infrastructure, and strengthens skills in grant writing, ethical research, leadership, and scientific mentorship.

Through staff exchanges and shared supervision networks, the collaboration promotes long-term mentorship and strong institutional linkages, preparing researchers to translate scientific evidence into policy and community impact.