The TESA Addressing Gender and Diversity Regional Gaps in Clinical Research Capacity (TAGENDI) Project held its Coordinators’ and Fellows Workshop from April 3–4, 2025, at the Pandhari Hotel in Harare, Zimbabwe. The event was hosted by the Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI) and brought together PhD fellows and coordinators from TESA partner institutions across Southern Africa to strengthen clinical research training capacity and advance gender equity in the research ecosystem.
The two-day workshop served as a strategic platform to review progress under TAGENDI I, enhance coordination among partner sites, and prepare for the upcoming TAGENDI II phase. As part of the broader TESA III initiative, TAGENDI was launched in August 2021 to close gender gaps in research leadership by supporting female PhD candidates with mentorship, training, and financial support.
This workshop is an opportunity not only to take stock of how far we’ve come but also to reinforce our commitment to empowering women in science, said Dr. Junior Mutsvangwa, BRTI Site Principal Investigator. By providing dedicated support and mentorship to female PhD candidates, we are investing in the future leadership of African health research.
So far, TAGENDI has recruited eight female PhD candidates from various partner countries, providing them with tailored support to navigate their doctoral studies and research careers. The workshop included sessions on strengthening institutional governance, reviewing coordination roles across sites, and aligning operational strategies for sustainability.
Day two of the workshop featured presentations from PhD fellows, who shared their research topics, challenges, proposed solutions, and key lessons learned. The interactive session allowed for in-depth feedback from TAGENDI Coordinators and Principal Investigators (PIs).
This workshop has been incredibly encouraging, said a PhD fellow from Botswana. It’s reassuring to know we’re not alone in our struggles, and it’s empowering to be part of a community of women pushing boundaries in science.
Coordinators and PIs offered targeted guidance on manuscript writing, including journal selection, structuring papers, and handling peer review. Fellows also received clarity on operational tools, communication channels, expected deliverables, and fund disbursement mechanisms to streamline project execution and student support.
We want to ensure that these brilliant researchers are equipped not just with the knowledge to conduct impactful studies, but also the skills to disseminate their work widely, emphasized a Rodrigues Matcheve, TESA Project Coordinator from Mozambique.
As the TAGENDI Coordinators’ and Fellows Workshop concluded, participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to transforming the research landscape across Southern Africa by promoting gender equity, academic excellence, and sustainable capacity building.
