TDR and the Global Vector Hub have developed a web-based directory of medical entomology courses available globally as a new resource for strengthening the capacity of scientists combating neglected tropical diseases and other vector-borne diseases.
A mapping of available entomology courses in 2016 revealed that the majority take place in the Americas, two-thirds of the courses are taught in English, and little or no information on these courses was accessible online.
To help bridge this gap, TDR has supported the development of a Global Atlas of Medical Entomology Schooling (GAMES), which lists a total of 126 medical entomology courses offered both on-campus and through distance learning in 32 countries across all WHO regions, covering seven languages. The online directory is hosted by the Global Vector Hub (GVH), an online, open-access platform for sharing knowledge and information on vector control and research.
“The GAMES course directory aims to make the field of medical entomology more accessible to young scientists in countries where they are needed most,” said Dr John Reeder, Director of TDR. “In addition to our other research capacity strengthening activities, we hope this new resource will support efforts to eliminate neglected tropical diseases.”
The freely available directory was developed in collaboration with the GVH and ARCTEC at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), following the mapping of courses available globally. WHO’s Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases and the WHO Global Malaria Programme have also reviewed the directory and provided recommendations. For each course, session dates, course outline, fees, language of instruction and responsible managers are listed.
“Many countries have very few or no medical entomologists who are specialized in vectors that transmit disease,” said Dr Mwelecele Malecela, Director of WHO’s Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases. “We welcome this initiative to help build the new generation of field and operational research scientists fighting NTDs.”
“ARCTEC and the Global Vector Hub are proud to have worked with TDR on this excellent directory, which has a comprehensive list of medical entomology courses accessible to anyone,” said Professor James Logan, Head of the Department of Disease Control at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and Director of ARCTEC. “We hope it will inspire the next generation of entomologists and vector control researchers around the world.”
The GVH will maintain the directory to keep it up-to-date. Please contact us at globalvectorhub@lshtm.ac.uk to contribute additional courses.