ACEPHEM

Center Title and Acronym: Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Herbal Medicine (ACEPHEM)
Host University and Country: University of Malawi, College of Medicine
Center Website Address: https://acephem.medcol.mw/
Center Director and email address: Professor Adamson Muula, amuula@medcol.mw
Primary Thematic Discipline of Center: Public Health and Herbal Medicine
Brief Description of Center:
The ACEPHEM conducts research in public health and in the identification of commonly used medicinal plants and quality assurance of herbal medicines used for the treatment of malaria, maternal health, HIV and AIDS, and non-communicable diseases.

Key Objectives and Expected Outcomes:
The project is engaging in the following:

• Train at least 70 MSc/MPhil/MMED students in urban public health/herbal medicine
• 26 PhD students in fields that are relevant to public health (e.g. adolescent health, and herbal medicine
• Build the capacity of partner research and academic institutions in urban public health and herbal medicine
• Conduct short term training workshops, support publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Implement faculty and student exchange
• Network with traditional healers and industry to commercialize products with the potential for the market

Major Accomplishments to Date:

• 20 Msc and 6 students have been recruited
• 73 participants have participated in our short courses
• 7 students are doing internships
• 5 MoUs have been signed with national, regional, and international partners
• Over $200,000 external funds has been raised
• Faculty and students exchange programs have taken place.

Primary Regional and Global Partners:
Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Copperbelt University, University of Addis Ababa, University of Strathclyde, Kalorinska Institute.