Professors Thorkild Tylleskär and Alfred Musekiwa are leading an impactful experimental epidemiology capacity-building collaboration between the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria (UP) and the University of Bergen, with support from the Deputy Dean of Research and Postgraduate Studies, Professor Tivani Mashamba-Thompson and the South African Medical Research Council. Professor Tylleskär is an extra-ordinary staff at the School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) and for the past four years has been supporting the SHSPH with regards to teaching of advanced epidemiology module, with particular emphasis on experimental epidemiology for the BSc Honours and MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics degrees. He has also been giving important webinars, organised by the Office of the Deputy Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies, on the theme of experimental epidemiology, which he also teaches at the University of Bergen.

Professors Tivani Mashamba-Thompson, Deputy Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies at Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria; Thorkild Tylleskär, Extraordinary Professor in the School of Health Systems and Public Health; Flavia Senkubuge, Acting Vice-Principal: Student Life; and Alfred Musekiwa, Associate Professor & Head of Division: Health Measurement Sciences at the School of Health Systems and Public Health, celebrate the successful collaborative journey in experimental epidemiology between UP's Faculty of Health Sciences and University of Bergen.

On the 30 May 2024, he delivered powerful lectures to the BSc Honours in Epidemiology & Biostatistics students and ended with an excellent webinar highlighting very impressive work he has been doing and collaborating with the South African MRC finding innovative ways of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection.

Professor Tylleskär is a paediatrician and professor of International Health at the University of Bergen, Norway. His focus is on child health from a global perspective, encompassing birth care, neonatal care, HIV, nutrition, and health informatics. He obtained his medical degree, PhD training, and specialist training in paediatrics from Uppsala University and Uppsala University Hospital in Sweden.

Experimental epidemiology is essential for advancing public health by generating robust evidence that informs the design, implementation, and evaluation of health interventions and policies. The collaborative teaching of experimental epidemiology between the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) University of Pretoria and the University of Bergen offers significant benefits to the FHS students at the University of Pretoria. This collaboration brings together diverse expertise, resources, and perspectives that enhance the educational experience and professional development of students. Here are some key points highlighting its significance:

The collaboration combines the strengths of both universities, ensuring a high-quality curriculum that incorporates the latest advancements and best practices in experimental epidemiology. Students benefit from the combined academic rigor and innovative teaching methods of both institutions. In addition, we envisage co-supervision of Masters and PhD students with him, to increase the quality and quantity of FHS outputs.

The partnership brings together faculty and students from different cultural and academic backgrounds, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives. This diversity enhances students' understanding of global health issues and prepares them to work in diverse, multicultural environments.

The University of Bergen is known for its expertise in epidemiology and global health. Collaborative teaching allows students at the University of Pretoria to learn from leading experts in the field, gaining insights and knowledge that might not be available locally.

" I have learned a lot from taking part and enabling this collaboration. The collaboration has opened opportunities for joint research projects, internships, and fieldwork. Our students are motivated and can engage in cutting-edge research initiatives that address pressing public health issues, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to the global body of knowledge in public health. The partnership enables the sharing of educational resources, including research facilities, data sets, and learning materials. This enhances the learning environment and provides students with access to a broader range of tools and resources. His contribution to the teaching of advanced epidemiology is highly commendable, especially at a time when the FHS is suffering a shortage of staff in epidemiology" said Professor Musekiwa. 

By working together, the universities can strengthen the research and teaching capacity at the University of Pretoria. This helps build a sustainable academic infrastructure that can continue to benefit future cohorts of students and the broader public health community in South Africa.

This collaboration emphasises a global perspective on public health issues. Staff and students learn about health challenges and solutions from a global context, which is essential for addressing both local and international public health problems. It also provides staff and students with an opportunity to build professional networks with faculty and peers from both institutions. These connections can be invaluable for future collaborations, career opportunities, and professional development.

"We value the exchange of knowledge and practices between UP and Bergen university and Prof Tylleskär’s commitment to this collaboration since 2021. This will foster innovation in public health education and practice, particularly as we strive to prepare for future pandemics. Our students are now exposed to a variety of teaching methods, research approaches, and intervention strategies, enhancing their ability to develop effective public health solutions. We believe that this collaboration will benefit our students even after completion of their degree program: Graduates from a program that benefits from international collaboration are often more attractive to employers. They bring a well-rounded, globally informed perspective to their work, making them valuable assets in the public health field" remarked Professor Mashamba-Thompson. 

The collaborative teaching of experimental epidemiology between the FHS, University of Pretoria and the University of Bergen significantly enriches the educational experience of SHSPH students. It enhances academic quality, provides access to a wide range of expertise and resources, fosters global perspectives, and builds research and professional capacities. This collaboration ultimately prepares students to effectively address public health challenges both locally and globally.