Four-Week Parasitology Training Programme Strengthens Veterinary Capacity Across Africa

From 10 November to 5 December 2025, the Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases (DVTD) at the University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science successfully hosted a transformative four-week training programme titled “Specialised Training in Veterinary Parasitology and Primary Animal Health Care”.

The programme was funded by the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology – African Network (WAAVP-AN), whose support made it possible to deliver high-quality training aimed at strengthening parasitology expertise within Africa.

While Prof Tshepo Matjila served as the Principal Investigator and secured the project funding, the core organising team from DVTD, which included Prof Raksha Bhoora, Prof Luis Neves, and Dr Nicola Collins, collectively ensured a high-impact and seamlessly executed training experience.

The call for applications received over 650 submissions, reflecting a strong need for specialised training in parasitology and diagnostic laboratory techniques. Following a competitive selection process, coordinated by Dr Ayesha Hassim and Dr Angelika Loots, 11 exceptional candidates were chosen to form the 2025 cohort.

Participants represented a broad geographic and academic spread, with students arriving from Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Botswana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, and South Africa. Their diverse veterinary and animal-health backgrounds enriched the learning experience and encouraged meaningful knowledge exchange.

The training programme provided a blend of theoretical grounding and hands-on practical experience in areas including:

• Diagnosis and identification of protozoa and rickettsial pathogens
• Veterinary ectoparasitology with emphasis on tsetse flies and trypanosomosis
• Identification of ticks, mites, fleas, flies, lice, and bugs of veterinary importance
• Diagnosis and identification of nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes
• Molecular and serological tools for diagnosing tick-borne pathogens
• Field-based training in Primary Animal Health Care and livestock production systems

Feedback on the course was overwhelmingly positive. The selected students demonstrated exceptional commitment, curiosity, and professionalism throughout the programme. They excelled during practical sessions, actively engaged in discussions, and provided insightful feedback that enriched the learning environment.

Most notably, the group developed strong bonds with one another, arriving as strangers and leaving as family. The sense of unity and collaboration created during the programme is expected to support future cross-border partnerships in veterinary research.

As participants return to their home countries, they take with them advanced technical knowledge, renewed confidence, and a continent-wide network of peers. The success of this WAAVP-AN-funded initiative reflects the importance of continued investment in specialised training programmes, and DVTD remains committed to advancing veterinary capacity and supporting improved animal health, food security, and research excellence across the African continent.