Capacity Building & Training

The Data Science Without Borders (DSWB) project is committed to strengthening data science capacity across African institutions by fostering a collaborative ecosystem that enhances skills, knowledge, and infrastructure. Our capacity-building initiatives focus on four key areas: training, workshops, webinars, and infrastructure development.

Training

DSWB offers targeted training programs designed to equip researchers, data managers, and policymakers with the necessary skills to harness data science tools effectively. Our training modules cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • Fundamentals of data science and machine learning.
  • Data governance and management practices.
  • FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles.
  • Data analytics and visualization.
  • Ethical considerations in data science.
  • Application of data science to public health challenges.

Training sessions are delivered through a mix of in-person and virtual formats, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for participants across the continent. Our goal is to build a strong community of data science practitioners who can apply their skills to address country-specific challenges.

Workshops

Workshops serve as an interactive platform for stakeholders to engage in hands-on learning experiences, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions to data-related challenges. These sessions focus on:

  • Practical applications of data science tools in health research.
  • Data harmonization and integration across multiple sources.
  • Developing AI and machine learning models for decision support.
  • Leveraging data science for evidence-based policymaking.
  • Open science principles.

Workshops are conducted at both regional and institutional levels, enabling participants to collaborate with peers, exchange ideas, and co-design strategies for improving data utilization.

Webinars

To ensure continuous learning and knowledge sharing, DSWB hosts a series of webinars featuring experts from diverse fields within data science. Our webinars cover emerging trends, case studies, and real-world applications in topics such as:

  • Data science for health system strengthening.
  • Use of artificial intelligence in research and healthcare.
  • Addressing data gaps through innovative approaches.
  • The role of metadata and standardization in data sharing.
  • Open science principles.

Webinars provide an opportunity for participants to engage with thought leaders, ask questions, and stay updated on the latest advancements in data science.

Infrastructure Strengthening

A critical component of the DSWB initiative is enhancing the data science infrastructure within our pathfinder institutions. Strengthening infrastructure is pivotal to enabling efficient data management, analysis, and sharing. Our efforts in this area include:

  • Establishing dynamic data warehouses to facilitate data harmonization and access.
  • Deploying OMOP Common Data Model (CDM) instances to support standardized data representation.
  • Implementing ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) pipelines for seamless data processing.
  • Providing computational resources and tools to support advanced analytics.
  • Capacity building for IT and data management teams to ensure sustainability.

By investing in infrastructure, DSWB aims to create an enabling environment that empowers institutions to leverage data science capabilities effectively, ensuring long-term impact and sustainability.