This week in Morogoro, Ifakara Health Institute convened a four-day curriculum review meeting from April 23–25, 2025. The main goal was to critically assess and refine the curriculum to ensure its continued relevance to current and emerging public health research needs.

The session focused on mapping updates to the Master of Science in Public Health Research (MScPHR) program, offered by Ifakara in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology at the former’s Training Center in Bagamoyo.

Participants included Ifakara senior researchers who contribute to teaching at the Institute’s Training Center —including facilitators and academic representatives from Ardhi University. The meeting was co-facilitated by Dr. Shubis Kafuruki, Head of the Training and Capacity Building Department, and Drs. Dickson Lwetoijera and Grace Mwangoka the department’s Deputy Heads.

About Ifakara’s Training and Capacity Building Center
Based at IHI’s Bagamoyo branch, the Training Center, which operates under the Training and Capacity Building Department, oversees all training and capacity building activities, including the accredited MScPHR program and short scientific skill-transfer courses aligned with the Institute’s research focus areas.

The Center plays a key role in developing the next generation of public health professionals. By leveraging on the Institute’s research platforms, expertise of scientists, and academic partnerships—both locally and internationally—it delivers practical, high-quality training to students, researchers, and fellows at doctoral and postdoctoral levels.

Through strategic collaborations with universities, the department ensures Ifakara continues to serve as a hub for public health training and knowledge exchange in Tanzania and beyond.

Learn more here.

Contributing to institutional growth
This curriculum review exercise aligns with one of IHI’s core strategic priorities under a thematic focus area on institutional development, which is part of the Institute’s 2023–2028 strategy. By investing in academic excellence and collaborative capacity building, Ifakara continues to strengthen its role and impact on the Tanzania’s health sector.

The revised MScPHR curriculum is expected to roll out in the near future, setting a new benchmark for postgraduate public health research training in the country.