AfrIBOP celebrates 10 years of training success across Africa
Published: 9 March 2026
The 2026 edition of AfrIBOP will mark a decade of successful training courses for early-career researchers and clinicians in immunology across Africa. The milestone 10th anniversary symposium is scheduled for Monday 16 to Friday 20 March at the Devon Valley Hotel in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the AfrIBOP training course, a flagship programme supporting early-career researchers and clinicians in immunology across Africa.
The milestone 2026 edition is scheduled to be held this month, Monday, 16 to Friday, 20 March, at the Devon Valley Hotel in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
African ImmunoBiology of Parasites, Pathogens and Pathogenesis was the brainchild of the School of Infection & Immunity's Professor Paul Garside and Professor Francis Ndungu of IDeAL – KEMRI-Wellcome.
Recognising a need for targeted immunology training across the continent, they developed an intensive week-long programme aimed at postdoctoral researchers and clinicians with a PhD and a strong interest in how the immune system interacts with pathogens, and how these interactions influence the development of infectious and non-communicable diseases.
Over the past decade, AfrIBOP has delivered immersive and interactive learning sessions alongside symposia exploring the latest advances in immunology, immune-mediated diseases, and the impact of chronic immune activity on human health.
The course covers the biology and immunology of major global health challenges including malaria, HIV, tuberculosis (TB), helminth infections, HPV and other viral diseases, including COVID-19.
More than 500 students from over 20 African countries have now completed the programme in locations such as the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme in Malawi and IDeAL – KEMRI-Wellcome Trust in Kenya, with the majority remaining in Africa to pursue careers in scientific research, strengthening research capacity across the continent.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers successfully adapted the course to an online format for two years, ensuring continuity of training and international collaboration.
Led by internationally recognised experts, AfrIBOP also provides participants with practical sessions in grant writing, science communication and career development.
Members of research staff from the University of Glasgow, alongside colleagues from partner institutions worldwide, generously contribute their time each year to teach on the course - fostering new collaborations and long-term research partnerships.
Now firmly established as a cornerstone of infection and immunity training and capacity building in Africa, AfrIBOP continues to play a vital role in supporting the next generation of immunology leaders.
Professor Garside, MVLS Senior Advisory Fellow and Sii Honorary Senior Research Fellow, said: "‘It is very satisfying to see AfrIBOP reach its 10th anniversary meeting.
“This says a lot about the commitment of so many international faculty and admin staff who have given their support over the years and the enthusiasm of the fantastic students who have participated.”
First published: 9 March 2026