Global Engagement
Partnering with African institutions to transform AI and healthcare
July 17, 2024
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A group of urologists observe as 澳门六合彩开奖现场 PhD candidate Rebecca Hisey demonstrates a self-guided system for training percutaneous nephrostomy, in Dakar, Senegal.
Queen鈥檚 University has secured funding from Global Affairs Canada to host 34 graduate students, faculty members, and postdoctoral fellows from 15 African institutions. Over the next four years, they will come to Queen鈥檚 for short-term research placements focused on healthcare technology. Each will spend four months at Queen鈥檚, doing research in medical imaging, computer-assisted AI interventions, biomechanics, and digital health, and guided by interdisciplinary teams of Queen鈥檚 faculty members. The first participants will arrive in September 2024.
鈥淒igital health is on the cusp of transforming access to healthcare and revolutionizing clinical and operational decision-making,鈥 says Gabor Fichtinger and Parvin Mousavi, both Queen鈥檚 professors and faculty co-leads on the scholarship initiative. 鈥淭he BCDI 2030 funding is crucial, providing sustained support for scholars from African institutions as they delve into transformative healthcare research鈥.
This highly competitive funding comes via the Canada International Development Scholarships 2030 program (BCDI 2030), which provides students from more than two dozen countries in Africa with high-quality technical and professional training. Securing this funding strengthens Queen鈥檚 ongoing efforts at building and nurturing global partnerships as outlined in the university鈥檚 Global Engagement Strategic Plan, and it aligns with the university鈥檚 continued support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
鈥淭his partnership underscores Queen鈥檚 commitment to fostering impactful research and creating lasting global connections,鈥 says Sandra den Otter, Vice-Principal (Global Engagement), whose office will administer the scholarship funds. 鈥淲e look forward to collaborating with African institutions to drive forward innovative healthcare solutions.鈥
In addition to the research training, the Dunin-Deshpande Queen鈥檚 Innovation Centre (DDQIC) at Queen鈥檚 will equip the BCDI scholars with entrepreneurial skills and a mindset to foster social and financial impact in their communities.
Learn more on the Queen鈥檚 Global Engagement website.
