The Brain Tumour and Translational Neuroscience Centre (BTC@UP), based in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria, hosted a ground-breaking international paediatric neurosurgery course in collaboration with global and continental partners. Held at Future Africa campus from 18–19 June 2025, the ISPN/AfPNS Educational Course brought together nearly 90 participants - including leading international faculty - to spotlight Africa’s paediatric neurosurgical needs and elevate regional training to global standards.

While the International Society for Paediatric Neurosurgery (ISPN) has previously hosted individual educational courses on the continent, this marked the first-ever joint course in partnership with the African Paediatric Neurosurgery Society (AfPNS). As a leading representative body for paediatric neurosurgeons across the continent AfPNS, supported by the Continental Association of African Neurosurgical Societies (CAANS), brought a unifying African vision to the collaboration, making the event both unprecedented and deeply symbolic.

“This course represents a major milestone for African paediatric neurosurgery,” said Professor Llewellyn Padayachy, Co-Chair of AfPNS (together with Professor El Beltagy) and founding director of the Brain Tumour and Translational Neuroscience Centre (BTC@UP). “It brought together neurosurgeons from across Africa with a shared commitment to improving paediatric neurosurgical care and aligning our practices with the highest international standards.”

Held under the banner of UP’s Safe Neurosurgery Initiative, the two-day programme explored high-impact topics such as brain tumour surgery, hydrocephalus, traumatic brain injury, neuro-infectious disease, and intra-operative monitoring. These thematic areas mirror the research strengths and clinical priorities of BTC@UP, one of the continent’s only centres dedicated to advancing translational neuroscience in paediatrics.

“This event positions UP at the forefront of paediatric neurosurgery,” added Prof Padayachy. “It wasn’t just a teaching platform - it was a springboard for addressing long-standing gaps in African neurosurgical care. We explored strategies to improve access to diagnostic equipment, strengthen global collaborations, and stimulate transdisciplinary research in neuroscience.”

According to Prof Padayachy, a major highlight was the engagement between BTC@UP students and some of the world’s most respected neurosurgical academics. “Our students were able to interact directly with global thought leaders. That’s how we build the next generation of African neuroscience pioneers.”

The event featured Prof Jeffrey Blount (USA), Prof Tony Figaji (UCT, RSA), Dr Sharon Low Yin Yee (Singapore), Prof Deepak Gupta (India), Dr Teddy Totimeh (Ghana), Dr Basil Enicker (UKZN, RSA), Dr Sheynaz Bassa (UP, RSA), Dr Nomsa Shezi (UKZN, RSA) and Dr Abenezer Tirsit (Ethiopia). Leading South African clinicians in surgery, imaging, and intensive care also formed part of the expert teaching team—many of whom have shaped the country’s neurosurgical landscape over the past two decades.

“The faculty we assembled - both local and international - was world-class,” said Prof Padayachy. “This is a reflection of the standards we aim to uphold at UP, where we treat both paediatric and adult brain tumours and also pioneer innovations in minimally invasive surgery and intraoperative brain mapping.”

A major success was the fully subscribed hands-on surgical workshop, hosted immediately after the course. Recognised as a national training platform, the workshop drew young neurosurgeons and registrars from across the country and continent. As one of the few practical training opportunities in Africa for paediatric brain surgery, it reflects UP’s leadership in surgical education.

Among those who attended was Tshiamo Kokome, a second-year neurosurgery registrar and postgraduate student at the University of Pretoria, currently based at Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

“This was quite an informative conference, especially for us as registrars training to become future neurosurgeons,” Kokome shared. “Talks on paediatric trauma and brain death certification stood out to me. It helped clarify the differences between international standards and the local guidelines we often rely on in our patient care.”

He added that he learned about the course through Prof Padayachy, who encouraged students to attend the event hosted by the Faculty.

Prof Padayachy believes the long-term impact will be significant:

“This event will catapult our training capabilities to be among the best globally - for both clinical registrar education and basic science research in the neurosciences.”

Crucially, the course also created space for strategic networking and forward planning. Discussions focused on forming training fellowships, launching multicentre research projects, and establishing exchange programmes between African and global institutions.

“In building a stronger, more interconnected neurosurgical community, we aim to close the gap in access and outcomes for children,” added Prof Padayachy. “This aligns closely with our Faculty’s mission to lead with academic excellence, community impact, and sustainable healthcare solutions tailored for Africa.”

As the burden of neurological conditions - ranging from brain trauma and tumours to congenital disorders - continues to rise across the continent, initiatives like the ISPN/AfPNS course are vital in reshaping the narrative: one where Africa is not just a recipient of expertise, but a leader in its own right.