It is with great honour that I welcome you to the KNUST-IVI Collaborative Centre — a pioneering research and training hub established through a strategic partnership between the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). Hosted within the School of Public Health, our Centre is dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge, improving health outcomes, and strengthening health systems across Ghana and the sub-Saharan African region.

The KNUST-IVI Collaborative Centre plays a vital role in the execution of complex, multi-site biomedical research projects, including vaccine clinical trials, disease surveillance programmes, and implementation science. Our work focuses on infectious diseases of regional and global importance-notably typhoid fever and invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella-and spans critical areas such as vaccine efficacy and effectiveness studies, vaccination campaigns, and health economics.

At the heart of our mission is an unwavering commitment to scientific excellence, ethical research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful community engagement. We believe that high-quality evidence must guide health policy and practice, and our research is designed to generate the data needed to inform both national and international public health interventions.

One of our flagship focus areas is typhoid fever, a persistent public health challenge in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. In collaboration with esteemed global partners, including the International Vaccine Institute, we lead and contribute to groundbreaking typhoid vaccine studies — from surveillance to clinical trials and post-introduction of vaccine evaluations. These efforts not only produce high-quality scientific data but also shape vaccine policy and deployment strategies at both national and regional levels.

Beyond research, the Centre is a vibrant platform for capacity building and mentorship, nurturing the next generation of African scientists, researchers, and public health leaders. Through hands-on training, supervision, and strategic collaborations, we are building a resilient research ecosystem that strengthens local expertise while contributing to global health security.

As Executive Director, I am proud of the strides we have made and optimistic about the journey ahead. With the continued support of our partners, funders, scientific collaborators, opinion leaders, and dedicated staff, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of equitable vaccine access, impactful research, and sustainable health solutions for all.

Thank you for visiting our website. I invite you to explore our programmes, partnerships, and achievements, and to join us in working towards a healthier, more equitable world.

Ellis Owusu-Dabo (PhD, MSc, MBChB, BSc, FWACP, FGCP)

Professor of Epidemiology and Global Health

Executive Director, KNUST-IVI Collaborative Centre