Addressing non-communicable diseases in Africa
The University of Glasgow recently hosted the 2023 Erasmus+ African Research Universities Alliance conference on non-communicable diseases.
Non-communicable diseases (NCD) refer to a group of non-transmissible illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases and stroke (the leading causes of death globally), chronic inflammatory disorders, diabetes, cancer and mental health conditions.
In Africa, NCDs have been recognised as a leading cause of death for some years. However, until the 2019 Global Burden of Disease report, this was not fully acknowledged by international agencies, despite previous projections that NCDs would be the leading causes of death by 2030. Therefore, efforts at reducing mortality and disability-adjusted life years had primarily focused on the control of infectious diseases, early malnutrition and maternal health.
ARUA Centre of Excellence for Non-Communicable Diseases
The University of Glasgow has contributed to the establishment of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Centre of Excellence for Non-Communicable Diseases, one of thirteen ARUA Centres of Excellence. The Centre is hosted by the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and is made up of five African universities: the University of Nairobi, Makerere University in Uganda, University of Ghana, University of Ibadan in Nigeria and University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.
The Centre comprises of an international network of researchers across Africa and the rest of the world that are supporting research capacity to address Africa’s complex burden of non-communicable diseases.
Non-Communicable Diseases in Africa Erasmus+ ARUA conference
Organised by Professor of Cardiovascular Immunology, Pasquale Maffia from Glasgow's School of Infection and Immunity, and Interdisciplinary Professor of Health and Behaviour, Cindy Gray from our School of Social and Political Sciences, the interdisciplinary event saw over 60 representatives and delegates from across Africa convene in Glasgow to discuss common interests in non-communicable disease, multimorbidity and infection research.
During the week, the University of Glasgow was able to enhance our already strong interest in North-South collaborations and strengthen our collaboration with ARUA.
In addition to two days of plenary talks, we organised a series of meetings, seminars and workshops bringing together scientists and administrative staff from the University of Glasgow and African institutions to promote professional interactions between them. A farewell reception was held at The Hunterian, the University's art gallery and museum.
International collaboration and the importance of global connectivity are at the very core of the Global Glasgow International Strategy 2025. This conference has been instrumental in this direction, facilitating partnerships founded in mutual trust and respect that have a palpable and positive impact on our communities locally, nationally and internationally.
With thanks to our funding partners
The conference was supported by the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility, the University of Glasgow International Partnership Development Fund and the Glasgow-Caribbean Centre for Development Research.
About ARUA
The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) brings together sixteen of the leading universities in Africa. It is a pan-African network that is developing local research excellence through collaboration to find solutions to the development problems of Africa.
Institutions represented at the conference
As well as colleagues from Glasgow’s College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences and College of Social Sciences, institutions represented included the African Research Universities Alliance, the University of Nairobi, the Kenya Medical Research Institute, the Technical University of Kenya, Pwani University, the University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos, the Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Ifakara Health Institute, the African Population and Health Research Centre, the University of the West Indies and the Glasgow-Caribbean Centre for Development Research.
Principal investigators, vice-Chancellors and International Deans from the African institutions attended the conference.
Attendees were welcomed by a video from the Scottish Government Minister, Neil Gray, and addresses from the University of Glasgow Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, the Deputy Vice Chancellor External Engagement and Vice Principal, Rachel Sandison, and African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Secretary-General, Ernest Aryeetey.