NDSU receives Africa-U.S. initiative grant
NDSU researchers have been awarded one of 20 prestigious planning grants through the Africa-U.S. Higher Education Initiative. The $50,000 grant will be used to continue NDSU’s joint programs with Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.
Margaret Khaitsa, assistant professor of veterinary and microbiological sciences, is the principal investigator for the grant, titled “Capacity Building in Integrated Management of Vectorborne and Zoonotic Diseases in Eastern and Central Africa."
“We are so pleased to be selected for this planning grant, which is a high-profile grant that included international planning meetings,” said Doug Freeman, department head and professor of veterinary and microbiological sciences. “It not only helps to create exciting learning and research opportunities for our students and faculty, but it also supports our efforts to build partnerships with institutions at home and overseas to address serious animal health and public health issues.”
Khaitsa said, “This has been a great team effort, and there has been much cooperation for this grant. In addition to veterinary and microbiological sciences, we had faculty from the departments of communication, biological sciences, pharmacy practice and food safety and the National Center for Food Protection and Defense contribute to make it happen.”
Khaitsa said NDSU also received cooperation from the University of Minnesota, Washington State University, Michigan State University, Columbus State University in Georgia and Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.
According to Higher Education for Development, which managed the competition, about 300 applications came from major research universities, community colleges and polytechnic institutions, and more than 30 Sub-Saharan African countries were represented. Peer reviewers came from the United States and African higher education institutions and included representatives of the United States Agency for International Development.
“This is a good example of the great faculty we have in the Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences, and how we can be partners nationally and internationally,” Freeman said. “When people work together, great things happen. Margaret has been the leader and none of it would have happened without her, but it has been a true team effort.”
The grant builds on NDSU’s unique summer study abroad program opportunity in Uganda through the Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences. The course, which is preparing for its third summer, gives students a chance to study international animal production, disease surveillance and public health at Makerere University.
That course is leading to a joint master’s degree in international infectious disease management and biosecurity. Khaitsa is also the principal investigator on a previously received $140,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in support of the degree program.
“NDSU administration has been very supportive right from the start. Deans Grafton and Wittrock have provided significant direction and support to these efforts. We are partnering through Makerere University with the whole eastern and central region of Africa,” said Khaitsa, noting that President Joseph A. Chapman visited Makerere University last summer and guided the broad partnership vision.
Freeman added that the work is not yet done. “Our ultimate vision is two coordinating centers, one based at NDSU linking institutions in the United States and the other at Makerere University linking schools in eastern and central Africa,” he said. “We have big goals, and this grant from the Africa-U.S. Higher Education Initiative is the next step in achieving those goals.”
For more information, visit www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2009/pr090413.html.