The Trials of Excellence in Southern Africa, TESA is Network of Excellence aims to expand capacity for clinical research in poverty-related, neglected tropical and emerging infectious diseases. The NoE use the stronger institutions and established facilities, including the reference laboratories, reference data management, and ongoing clinical trials within the network as platforms for institutional transformation and human resource development in the Southern Region of Africa. The TESA III Project supports the implementation of TESA activities. The project is in period 1, started in July 2021 to 30 June 2022.

 The Specific Objectives:

1. To promote and consolidate the TESA network activities across the region and expand the network by onboarding countries that are not yet part of the network
2. To use the established regional reference laboratories and joint clinical trials for on-the-job training in malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, provide financial support for infrastructure upgrades and promote basic studies for the LDS to allow hands-on training
3. To establish and promote capacity built from TESA II, including data management, data analysis and data sharing across the network.
4. To establish a joint platform with national and regional agencies to develop and strengthen collaboration for research evidence sharing that will contribute to the decision-making process, dialogue between researchers, communities, and policymakers in order to maximize the impact of clinical research in Africa

The TESA III project was launched on 29th September 2021 with the participation of all stakeholder involved.

The Master plan for the implementation of project was designed. During the current period, three Project Meetings was hosted.

Within the scope of TESA project, under capacity building, two students, one from Angola and Zimbabwe was hosted for Long-term (2 months) training in Clinical trial at University of Cape town.

So far 5 PhD students, 1 Postdoc, and 4 MSC students were enrolled within African Universities.

Six short-term courses were offered and have benefitted 133 students within the consortium.

Within the infrastructure scope several equipment were procured at UTH-Zambia, CISA-Angola, UNA-Namibia and BRTI-Zimbabwe, sites have upgraded lab equipment.

A policy-briefing meeting were held with the key stakeholders including the highest political level at national. Two (2) advocacy meetings during the site visit, at UNAM-Namibia and BHP-Botswana, respectively. The first Advocacy Meeting was held on the 8th of June at the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Namibia. This was a follow-up meeting on the actions initiated in 2019 during the Annual Meeting at Namibia