Diaspora linkages benefit both sides: a single partnership experience

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Medical Research
• International Collaboration

Background:

• Physician and scientist emigration from resource-constrained nations hinders research capacity.
• Re-establishing robust health sciences research environments is crucial.
• Alumni Diaspora Fellowship Programmes offer a mechanism to rebuild research capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the beneficial effects of a successful Alumni Diaspora Programme partnership.
• To demonstrate the bi-directional advantages of Host/Alumnus collaborations.
• To showcase the value of 'brain circulation' in research expansion.

Main Methods:

• A single Host/Alumnus collaboration was analyzed.
• The partnership involved an institution in a resource-constrained country and an institution in a high-income country.
• The study assessed impacts on research, training, and knowledge exchange.

Main Results:

• Research expanded in the resource-constrained country, including fields like HIV, TB, and malaria.
• Over 200 young scholars were trained in manuscript and grant writing.
• Significant advances in biomedical informatics and increased research publications were achieved.
• Knowledge exchange and development occurred between both institutions.

Conclusions:

• Alumni Diaspora Fellowship Programmes yield bi-directional benefits for participating institutions.
• These programmes effectively facilitate 'brain circulation' and expand research capacity.
• Such collaborations are valuable strategies for strengthening health sciences research globally.