Training in Data Science for Health: 2025 WASHA Takwimu Short Course Series

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), in partnership with Harvard University School of Public Health (HSPH) and Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), is pleased to announce the 2025 series of short courses under the WASHA Takwimu initiative, a specialized training grant funded by the National Institutes of Health (U2RTW012140).

WASHA (Working on Applications for Data Science and Health in Africa) Takwimu, meaning “Ignite Data” in Swahili, aims to build capacity in data science to address pressing global health and climate challenges across Africa. This programme seeks to develop a cadre of health professionals and scientists equipped with the skills needed to leverage data science in innovative and impactful ways.

The 2025 course offerings provide an immersive learning experience, focusing on both foundational and advanced data science techniques with a focus on health. Courses are designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications, with an emphasis on addressing real-world issues in health systems, epidemiology, and food systems, climate change and planetary health.

Eligibility Criteria

• This programme is designed for individuals with a background in health sciences, biological sciences, statistics, mathematics, computer science, or related fields, with a demonstrated interest in applying data science methods to health, climate resilience, and planetary health challenges.

• Students may choose to take one or all courses depending on their interest and prior training/experience.

Programme Features and Benefits

1. Expert Faculty: Engage with leading experts from UKZN, Harvard, and Heidelberg, bringing extensive experience in data science and global health.

2. Hands-On Training: Participate in practical sessions designed to build competence in data manipulation, analysis, and advanced methodologies with relevance to the local context.

3. Scholarships Available: Travel scholarships to participate in the short course training programme will be awarded on a competitive basis to two applicants from each of the following institutions: UKZN, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria. The scholarship will cover the course facilitation, airport transfers, materials, flights (if applicable), bed and breakfast only for the course duration. The scholarship excludes: Visa costs, vaccine requirements, travel insurance, and daily dinner for the duration of the course.

4. Networking Opportunities: Collaborate with a diverse group of health professionals, researchers, and scientists across Africa, fostering a collaborative network for future projects.

5. Additional candidates from our Spokes, other African institutions and South Africa are welcome to apply. However, spaces are very limited and these applicants will have to fund their own travel and accommodation. We can co-fund the workshop teaching and conferencing costs.

Application and Contact Information Spaces are limited, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Please submit a completed application form by the closing date using the link in the table attached.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/dsi-africa/. If you have any questions or other inquiries, please contact Mr. Themba Manqele: Manqelet@ukzn.ac.za.

Please use the subject heading: Application for Short Courses in WASHA Takwimu Health Data Science: [Name of short course course]

Acknowledgement:

This training programme is supported by the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U2RTW012140. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.