Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, a leader in serving science, and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) have officially opened a dedicated training facility for advanced molecular science and laboratory management.

This is to further enhance essential scientific skills in the country. The facility will also be supporting future pandemic preparedness and local health system resilience.

The newly established Centre for Advanced Training and Innovative Research (CATIR) in Pretoria will provide hands-on molecular technique training, focusing on technology and applications, in addition to laboratory management and personal development skills for students.

Through this approach, the training will bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application, equipping future scientists with the skills to lead research and healthcare advancements relevant to local needs.

“The development of the Centre for Advanced Training and Innovative Research reflects the SAMRC’s belief in the value of investing in the infrastructure and expertise that will help our country address local gaps in critical areas of science,” said Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, President and Chief Executive Officer at SAMRC.

Ntusi added that the Covid-19 pandemic taught us that we needed to do more to build skills in clinical and molecular testing to improve the resilience of our health system against the diseases of today and tomorrow.

“The opening of this important new educational facility is a landmark moment in our journey to achieving this important goal,” Ntusi said. The first cohort of 20 CATIR students is expected to be trained before the end of this year and have been recruited from three universities in South Africa, all of which focus on providing education for underserved communities. These are the University of Venda, University of Limpopo, and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.

Once fully operational, the centre will have the capacity to train up to 160 students annually, with courses lasting five weeks. The CATIR has been created and funded through the collaborative efforts of Thermo Fisher, the SAMRC, and South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. As part of a memorandum of agreement, Thermo Fisher and the SAMRC will provide and endorse the training programmes.

Thermo Fisher will also offer students hands-on access to a wide range of its world-leading products, instruments, and services to help them develop new expertise and specialised skills, supplementing their existing academic curriculums.

“The opening of the CATIR demonstrates the importance of public-private partnerships in helping to build a more resilient health system in South Africa and underpins our mission to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer,” said Urmi Prasad Richardson, president at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

The opening of the CATIR was on Wednesday officially marked by a ribbon-cutting event at the new facility in Pretoria.

zelda.venter@inl.co.za

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