Queen’s University has secured funding from Global Affairs Canada to host 34 graduate students, faculty members, and postdoctoral fellows from 15 African institutions. Over the next four years, they will come to Queen’s for short-term research placements focused on healthcare technology. Each will spend four months at Queen’s, doing research in medical imaging, computer-assisted interventions, biomechanics, and digital health, and guided by interdisciplinary teams of Queen’s faculty members. The first participants will arrive in September 2024.

“Digital health is on the cusp of transforming access to healthcare and revolutionizing clinical and operational decision-making,” says Gabor Fichtinger and Parvin Mousavi, both Queen’s professors, Canada Research Chairs (Tier 1), and faculty co-leads on the scholarship initiative. “The BCDI 2030 funding is crucial, providing sustained support for scholars from African institutions as they delve into transformative healthcare research”.

This highly competitive funding comes via the Canada International Development Scholarships 2030 program (BCDI 2030), which provides students from more than two dozen countries in Africa with high-quality technical and professional training. Securing this funding strengthens Queen’s ongoing efforts at building and nurturing global partnerships as outlined in the university’s Global Engagement Strategic Plan, and it aligns with the university’s continued support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“This partnership underscores Queen’s commitment to fostering impactful research and creating lasting global connections,” says Sandra den Otter, Vice-Principal (Global Engagement), whose office will administer scholarship funds. “We look forward to collaborating with African institutions to drive forward innovative healthcare solutions.”

In addition to the research training, the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC) at Queen’s will equip the BCDI scholars with entrepreneurial skills and a mindset to foster social and financial impact in their communities.

Learn more on Queen’s Global Engagement website.