2020–2021 AMR One Health Pan-African Internship & Mentorship Programme
The inaugural DBF–IPSF AMR Internship equipped pharmacy students and recent graduates across Sub-Saharan Africa with knowledge, mentorship, and practical research experience to strengthen antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevention and control.
At a Glance
Duration
3 Months
9 November 2020 – 22 February 2021
Countries Represented
5 African Countries
Nigeria • Kenya • Ghana • Zimbabwe • DR Congo
Participants
10 Selected
9 Successfully Completed
Mentorship
10 One Health Mentors
From Nigeria, Tanzania and South Africa
Programme Overview
The Cohort 1 internship was designed to bridge gaps in antimicrobial resistance education among pharmacy students and young pharmacists in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using the WHO AMR Competency Framework as its foundation, the programme combined structured learning, mentorship, leadership development, and practical research experience.
Interns participated in weekly virtual sessions led by experienced faculty and were paired with One Health mentors who provided career guidance and project support throughout the programme. The internship concluded with a collaborative capstone project examining antimicrobial resistance education within pharmacy curricula across participating countries.
Learning Experience
AMR Foundations
Interns developed a strong understanding of antimicrobial resistance through sessions covering:
- AMR fundamentals
- Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS)
- Diagnostic Stewardship
- Case-based learning
Careers in AMR & Public Health
Experts shared career pathways in:
- Emergency preparedness
- Medicines access
- Pharmaceutical innovation
- Data science
- Alternative medicines research
- Public health leadership
Policy & Leadership
Participants explored how policy shapes AMR response through topics including:
- National Action Plans
- Public health policy
- African CDC’s role in AMR
- Leadership and governance
- Change management
Research & Scientific Writing
The programme strengthened research capacity by introducing interns to:
- Research fundamentals
- Scientific writing
- Publication ethics
- Evidence synthesis
- Capstone project development
Capstone Project
Mapping AMR Education Across Pharmacy Schools in Sub-Saharan Africa
As the programme’s capstone project, interns conducted a regional review of antimicrobial resistance content within pharmacy curricula across participating countries.
The project identified strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improving pre-service AMR education, generating evidence to support future curriculum development and workforce strengthening across Africa.
Hear From Our Interns
Internship Experience
Hear directly from participants as they reflect on their experiences, the skills they gained, and how the internship influenced their academic and professional journeys in antimicrobial resistance and public health.