Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology

Aerial View of a Section of the University

INTRODUCTION Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria established in 1962 is situated in two campuses 12 faculties, a School of Postgraduate Studies, five Institutes, eight Research Centres and a Division of Colleges of Agriculture. Most cosmopolitan University in Nigeria with students drawn from West, East and North Africa

THE CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND TRAINING The Centre for Biotechnology Research and Training (CBRT) was commissioned on 10th May, 2004. Central Bank of Nigeria provided the take-off fund. Carnegie Corporation of New York and the University of Bremen, Germany funded the state of art equipment, available in the Centre.  

Participants in one of the Recombinant DNA Laboratory

Specific Objectives Educational Short term training in form of modules to meet the needs of middle level expertise like laboratory technologists, and health care givers Graduate curriculum for MSc and PhD Biotechnology with exceptional bias to neglected tropical diseases Human capacity training in criminal investigation and forensic analysis through short term programmes in forensic biotechnology

Industry Training in medical diagnostics with tools of molecular biology in league with the private sector. Produce middle level manpower required in the development, analysis and production of reagents/diagnostic kits for science, pharmaceutical and biomedical based industries. Provide support service for reference hospitals for diagnosis at reasonable cost. Improve the professional skill and knowledge of biomedical, medical, science based technologists and scientists involved in laboratory diagnosis of diseases and infections through short term training programmes

Research Conduct high level practical training relevant to laboratory work on NTD, Conduct joint research regional training to build competence in development, planning and performing research projects, with applied biotechnology as major focus Develop and strengthen internationally accepted quality standards in project planning, performance documentation

Research and Training Focus of NTDFB Building capacity in the diagnosis and management of NTD NTD of focus: Trypansomiasis, Rabies and Filariasis Development of database on the distribution of the NTD in the region Development of diagnostic tools for the three NTDs Establishment of vaccine development facility for studies on novel vaccine candidates for the NTDs Building capacity in forensic biotechnology

Methodology Mounting of short term trainings of 1-2 months for capacity trainings Mounting of postgraduate programmes such as PGD, MSc and PhD Conducting in-depth research in the three NTDs

Achieving Teaching and Learning Excellence S.No Activity description 1 Regular teaching modules developed 2 Development of mobile modules - ongoing 3 Development of tutoring and mentoring programs - ongoing 4 Curricula of new graduate programs approved 5 Graduate and short course programs – ongoing (2013/14) 6 Library established and maintained 7 Implementation of field study course work - ongoing 8 Reliable general infrastructure 9 Customization of teaching rooms 10 Customization of teaching laboratories 11 Development of faculty teaching expertise -ongoing

Achieving Excellence in Applied Research S No. Description of Activities 1 Establishment of animal facility 2 Cold room facility available 3 Chemical and Store facility available 4 Analytic and central research laboratories established 5 Establishment of Biobank in progress 6 DNA vaccine development in progress

Partners National NITOR, Kaduna NIMR, Lagos University of Lagos Federal University of Technology, Minna Nassarawa State University, Keffi

Partners contd. Regional University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon Institute for Agricultural Research (IRAD, Yaounde, Cameroon) Garden City University College, Kumasi, Ghana Centre de Recherches Medicales de Lambarene (CEMEL), Gabon

International University of Bremen Kuvin Medical Centre for Hebrew University University of Western cape, South Africa Department of Forensics, Gorge Washington University, USA – MoU being developed

Accomplishment Since Inception of NTDFB Curriculum Development Curricula for Mobile short courses PGD in Forensic Biotechnology MSc Biotechnology PhD Biotechnology, Developed in February, 2014 and Approved by the University Senate, June 2014

Training Workshops organised Hands on training techniques on basic biotechnology techniques at CBRT, ABU, Zaria, May-June, 2014 - 40 participants Training Workshop at University of Ngaoundere, Cameroun September, 2014 – 10 candidates § April 2015 (20) Joint Field work at Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria for data collection and outreach to the local populace. August, 2014 - 10 participants (5 Camerounians)

Training Workshops organised Workshop at Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis Research (17th November 2014) – 20 participants All these workshops were jointly organised with University of Bremen

Admission into Academic Programmes A total of 27 candidates admitted (2013/14) MSc - 21 (5 regional; 1 Camerounian) PhD – 6 (3 Camerounians) A total of 15 candidates for admission (2014/2015) MSc - 11 (1 Camerounian) PhD – 3 (1 Camerounian)