The programme is to enable young researchers consolidate role of biomedical science in the development of Africa.

Poverty-related and neglected diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are a major hindrance to development in African countries. These diseases are common ground for both African nations who wish to develop and the European Union that wishes to contribute to and collaborate with Africa for development. It is for this reason that the Poverty Related Diseases College (PRD College) was launched in the campus of the University of Yaounde 1 last Monday in a ceremony was co- chaired by the Ministers of Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo and Public Health, André Mama Fouda.

Speaking during the occasion, the Rector of the University of Yaounde 1, Professor Oumarou Bouba, welcomed the initiative and used the opportunity to announce the creation of a European Union sponsored administration and professional promotion office for the university. The Minister of Higher Education on behalf of the government identified common traits with recent prescriptions of the Head of State on the operations of Higher Education.

The PRD College is an international research programme on biomedicine and development, which is coordinated by the University of Yaounde 1. It aims principally at training and building the capacities of young African and European researchers with a view to consolidating the role of biomedical science in the development of Africa. PRD College is coordinated at the University of Yaounde 1 by Professor Wilfred Mbacham in cooperation with other African institutions and European partners. The college is co-financed by the European Commission, Directorate General for Research under the seventh Framework Programme (FP7). PRD College is the first initiative under the health theme to be coordinated by an African institution. PRD College enables African Researchers to be at the forefront of competitive modern science by stimulating early collaboration through synergy building. Some 24 advanced PHD students or post-doctoral scholars from Africa and Europe will participate in the three-year programme on biomedicine and development.