Doha: Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Dakar, has successfully launched the Polio Advanced Course in Vaccinology (PVAC) 2025, marking the first specialized course of its kind in the region. The five-day program brought together 59 participants from 30 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, representing a new generation of professionals dedicated to global polio eradication.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Vice President for Health and Medical Sciences at QU, Prof. Asma Al-Thani, stated that QU's hosting of the region's first Polio Advanced Course in Vaccinology embodies its commitment to advancing global health and fostering scientific excellence. Prof. Al-Thani emphasized that the course represents both a scientific milestone and a reaffirmation of QU's leadership in health education and innovation.
Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professor of Public Health at QU, Dr. Hanan Abdul Rahim, highlighted the significance of the eradication of polio as one of humanity's greatest collective health efforts. Dr. Abdul Rahim noted that building and sustaining the expertise to reach that goal requires robust and up-to-date scientific knowledge, as well as a strong global community of trained, connected, and committed professionals.
Dr. Hamad Eid Al-Romaihi, Director of Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control at the Ministry of Public Health, reiterated the global fight against polio as a monumental effort to eradicate a devastating disease that has impacted countless lives. He affirmed Qatar's steadfast commitment to this mission through strengthening health systems and empowering frontline workers to support global efforts for a polio-free future.
Prof. Abdulkarim Said Al-Makadma, Dean of the College of Medicine, emphasized that the Polio Vaccination and Certification (PVAC) program is not only a global health priority but also a testament to the achievements possible when academic excellence, medical innovation, and collective effort come together. He highlighted the College of Medicine's belief in the power of science enhanced through collaboration.
Dr. Kamel Senouci, Director of the PVAC courses at UNIGE, expressed the importance of renewed commitment and expertise as the world approaches the historic goal of polio eradication. For over 25 years, the UNIGE has been at the forefront of global vaccinology education, equipping experts worldwide through its prestigious ADVAC program.
Dr. Giridhara R. Babu, Professor of Population Medicine at QU's College of Medicine and Scientific Director of PVAC, stated that this program nurtures future leaders in polio eradication, enhances regional capabilities, and expands scientific knowledge. He noted the significance of standing at the cusp of history in achieving a world free of polio.
The 2025 PVAC marks a milestone in global health education, showcasing Qatar's growing role as a regional hub for scientific innovation and health capacity-building. Through this initiative, QU continues to advance national and global collaboration toward a polio-free world, aiming to build a new generation of leaders and experts in immunization science and strengthen capacities in outbreak response, vaccination policy, and disease control. The course is jointly organized by QU, UCAD, and UNIGE, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.