Professor Eleni Aklillu leads €1.3 million EU project to strengthen clinical research in Rwanda

Professor Eleni Aklillu has been awarded €1.3 million for an EU-funded project under the Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines, and Health Technologies in Africa (TEI MAV+). This four-year project is being carried out in Rwanda as part of a larger €10 million program coordinated by Sida, Sweden’s development agency.

The project brings together expertise from Karolinska Institutet, Gothenburg University, Umeå University, and the University of Rwanda, with the aim of strengthening local capacity in clinical research and higher education.

Professor Aklillu is coordinating the clinical trial component of the project, which includes Setting up quality management systems at selected clinical trial sites and continues professional development programs focused on clinical trial methodologies, research ethics, and regulatory framework.

In partnership with Gothenburg University, Professor Aklillu is also coordinating the higher education component of the initiative. This includes launching a PhD program in translational medicine and introducing five new master’s programs, including one focused on clinical trials. Thirteen PhD candidates will be enrolled at the University of Rwanda and jointly supervised by Swedish researchers.

“It is a great honor to contribute to strengthening Africa’s capacity in clinical research and health innovation. Through collaborative efforts like TEI MAV+, we are not only building infrastructure but also empowering the next generation of African scientists and health professionals. This project is a testament to what meaningful partnerships between European and African institutions can achieve,” says Professor Aklillu, reflecting on this initiative.