Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, in collaboration with the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), has organised a five-day Winter School for early-career scientists from 2 to 6 November 2026.
The Winter School is designed to equip early-career African global health researchers with foundational knowledge, practical skills, and valuable professional connections to support their academic and career development. The programme brings together master’s and PhD researchers from Ghana and Kenya, providing an opportunity for participants from different countries and research institutions to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and build lasting professional relationships.
A key objective of the Winter School is to strengthen collaboration among emerging African researchers and create a vibrant platform for scientific exchange across projects, institutions, and countries. By bringing together postgraduate researchers from diverse academic and research backgrounds, the programme encourages cross-border networking, knowledge sharing, and the development of collaborative relationships that can contribute to advancing global health research across the continent.
Beyond scientific content, the Winter School places emphasis on developing essential professional and transferable skills that are important for successful academic and research careers. Participants engage in sessions covering scientific communication, research proposal writing, career planning, networking, and collaboration. These areas are intended to provide early career researchers with practical tools and perspectives to navigate the challenges and opportunities associated with their academic and professional journeys. Through interactive learning and engagement with fellow researchers, the programme also offers participants an opportunity to reflect on their career goals, strengthen their professional networks, and explore opportunities for future research partnerships.
The Winter School is funded through the PharmaVax Ghana programme, implemented by the GIZ with support from the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Government of Ghana, and the German Research Foundation (DFG).
The long-standing collaboration between Charité and KCCR highlights the importance of investing in early-career researchers and creating opportunities for professional development, scientific exchange, and international collaboration. By supporting the next generation of African global health researchers, the Winter School contributes to building a stronger, more connected research community equipped to address current and emerging health challenges across Africa and beyond.
