The Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID) recently strengthened its international partnerships by participating in the IT, Knowledge Exchange and Data Management Communities of Practice (CoP) meetings held in Blantyre, Malawi.
Dr Yvan Fotso-Toguem and Dr Glwadys Cheteug during the Data Management CoP
These strategic engagements were part of the International Funding for Research Culture (IFRC) project, funded to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and its collaborators. The initiative aims to foster innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building across partner institutions, i.e., CRID, LSTM, the Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme (MLW) and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
Strengthening IT Capacity Across Research Hubs
From September 28 to October 1, 2025, Noutchih Cedrique (Bioinformatician) and Weladji Chastine (Information and Technology Manager) represented CRID at the IT CoP meeting hosted by the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome (MLW) Programme. This gathering of IT professionals focused on developing sustainable strategies for data governance and digital resilience across the LSTM hub network. Key outcomes included: Drafting a cross-hub IT governance and cybersecurity strategy; Creating a shared repository of SOPs, policies, and tools; Clarifying frameworks for regulatory compliance and innovation; Strengthening partnerships for joint training and mentorship. The meeting emphasized harmonization of systems, peer consultation, and collaborative problem-solving, laying the groundwork for long-term IT strategy development and operational efficiency at CRID.
Chastine Weladji and Cedrique Noutchih attending the IT CoP
Advancing Knowledge Exchange for Impactful Research
From October 6 to 10, 2025, Dr Trésor Melachio (Research Scientist) and Edith Tiogo (Communication Officer) attended the inaugural Knowledge Exchange (KE) CoP meeting. This workshop established a platform for promoting best practices in KE, a process that involves sharing research findings and expertise to inform policy and practice. CRID’s participation reinforced its commitment to: Embedding KE into its research culture; Enhancing the impact of research on health policy; and strengthening international collaboration through peer learning. Through expert insights and peer discussions, CRID gained valuable strategies to drive research uptake and influence decision-making across public health sectors.
Enhancing Data Management through Peer Exchange
From October 27 to 30, 2025, Dr. Yvan Fotso and Dr. Gladys Cheteug, post-doctoral researchers at CRID, joined the Data Managers CoP Exchange Visit at MLW. This program brought together data professionals from Cameroon, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and the UK to share best practices and strengthen collaboration in data management. Highlights from the visit included:
- Exposure to tools like Redcap, ODK, DFdiscover, Power BI, and SQL Server
- Identification of solutions for data loss and platform migration
- Adoption of AI-based transcription and translation techniques
- Introduction of automated alert systems for temperature excursions in labs and pharmacies
- Recommendations for establishing dedicated data departments and SOPs across hubs
- Emphasis on mentorship, shared documentation, and cross-hub problem-solving platforms
The exchange underscored the importance of continuous collaboration, resource sharing, and professional development to build sustainable data ecosystems. CRID’s team returned with actionable insights to improve data quality, operational performance, and strategic planning.
A Unified Vision for International Impact
These three CoP engagements reflect CRID’s holistic approach to strengthening research infrastructure, fostering regional collaboration, and driving innovation in health research. By integrating IT, Knowledge Exchange, and Data Management into its institutional strategy, CRID continues to position itself as a leader in impactful and policy-relevant research across Africa.
