Research stay at KNUST

G-WAC’s annual research mobility programme is a core pillar of its commitment to strengthening interdisciplinary Global Health capacity through international exchange. By fostering bi-directional research mobility between Ghana and Germany, the programme creates opportunities for Master’s, PhD students and early-career researchers to engage in structured research stays across partner institutions in Ghana and Germany, promoting collaborative learning, joint supervision, and cross-cultural scientific exchange.

Each year, selected students from Ghana are invited to conduct research at G-WAC’s partner institutions in Germany, including the Berlin School of Public Health (Technische Universität Berlin and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin) and the Medical Faculty of the University of Bonn. Vice versa, German Master’s and PhD students are welcomed to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, where they conduct research within G-WAC’s interdisciplinary research groups, ranging from Epidemiology and Surveillance, Virology and Diagnostics, Zoonoses, Health Systems and Health Economics, Digital Health, Bacteriology and Parasitology, as well as Community Engagement and Social Sciences.

These research stays, typically lasting three months, are supported through scholarships and stipends and offer a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in diverse scientific and cultural environments. Participants work closely with leading experts through joint supervision across institutions, gaining insights into different research traditions and methodologies. Whether in advanced laboratory settings or in rich field environments, the programme enables participants to connect theory with practice.

A defining feature of the mobility scheme is its emphasis on joint supervision and collaborative research. Participants benefit from mentorship across institutions, bringing together students and researchers from different disciplines, sectors and regions, fostering the co-development of innovative solutions to complex health challenges. Selected students are exposed to cutting-edge work in environmental health, antimicrobial resistance, epidemic and pandemic response, health systems research, health economics, and global health policy.

Beyond academic training, participants are encouraged to engage with the wider Global Health community. Opportunities to attend high-level international summits such as the World Health Summit, the Biennial West African Policy Dialogue as well as workshops, summer schools, and conferences further enrich the experience. Internships at institutions such as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) or the SORMAS foundation provide additional exposure to Global Health policy and implementation.

By leveraging synergies between its partner institutions, the programme enables students to work across diverse disciplinary and dynamic cultural settings. Participants gain not only technical expertise in areas such as epidemiology, laboratory sciences, bioinformatics, and health systems research, but also acquire critical soft skills, including intercultural communication, collaborative problem-solving, and the ability to navigate complex global health environments. Ultimately, G-WAC’s mobility programme aims to build sustainable scientific partnerships, promote knowledge exchange, and support the co-development of innovative solutions to global health challenges.

Join us

…and become part of a globally connected network of researchers advancing interdisciplinary solutions to pressing global health challenges.