title: Strengthening research capacity through the medical education partnership initiative: the Mozambique experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since Mozambique's independence, the major emphasis of its higher educational institutions has been on didactic education. Because of fiscal and human resource constraints, basic and applied research activities have been relatively modest in scope, and priorities have often been set primarily by external collaborators. These factors have compromised the scope and the relevance of locally conducted research and have limited the impact of Mozambique's universities as major catalysts for national development.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a multi-institutional partnership to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the research environment at Mozambique's major public universities to identify factors that have served as barriers to the development of a robust research enterprise. Based on this analysis, we developed a multifaceted plan to reduce the impact of these barriers and to enhance research capacity within Mozambique.
  
  
  METHODS
  On the basis of our needs assessment, we have implemented a number of major initiatives within participating institutions to facilitate basic and applied research activities. These have included specialized training programmes, a reorganization of the research administration infrastructure, the development of multiple collaborative research projects that have emphasized local research priorities and a substantial investment in bioinformatics. We have established a research support centre that provides grant development and management services to Mozambique's public universities and have developed an independent Institutional Review Board for the review of research involving human research subjects. Multiple research projects involving both communicable and non-communicable diseases have been developed and substantial external research support has been obtained to undertake these projects. A sizable investment in biomedical informatics has enhanced both connectivity and access to digital reference material. Active engagement with relevant entities within the Government of Mozambique has aligned institutional development with national priorities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although multiple challenges remain, over the past 3 years significant progress has been made towards establishing conditions within which a broad range of basic, translational and clinical and public health research can be undertaken. Ongoing development of this research enterprise will enhance capacity to address critical locally relevant research questions and will leverage resources to accelerate the development of Mozambique's national universities.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Av, Salvador Allende, 702, Caixa Postal 257, Maputo, Moçambique. enoormahomed@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Emilia Virginia
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Noormahomed
authors.forename: Ana Olga
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Mocumbi
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Preziosi
authors.forename: Albertino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Damasceno
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bickler
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Funzamo
authors.forename: Eliah
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aronoff-Spencer
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Badaró
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mabila
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bila
authors.forename: Alcido
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nguenha
authors.forename: Virgilio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Do Rosário
authors.forename: Constance A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Schooley
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Luis Jorge
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Ferrão
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carrilho
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D057191:Capacity Building; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006078:Government Programs; D006801:Humans; D009073:Mozambique; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D014495:Universities