The actualization of International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) solidifies IHVN’s prime position as leader in providing quality health services, capacity building and health-related research in West Africa, as well as its commitment to excellence in research and collaboration. IHVN, through IRCE aimed to bridge the gap between its two centers; IRCE and Center for Public Health Implementation (CPHI) through research, treatment, and prevention by fostering collaboration between scientists – both international and local, healthcare providers, the government of Nigeria and the communities it serves. Over the years, IRCE has played a pivotal role in pioneering innovative research geared towards, providing high-quality healthcare services and building capacity within the Nigerian healthcare system. Take a closer look at the historical milestones of the IRCE.
The need for IRCE
The PEPFAR and Global Fund funded HIV and TB program at IHVN since its inception in 2004 developed critical infrastructure, capabilities, and capacity that supported translational research that were siloed and not well coordinated. The need to harness and expand these research activities and better link research and service programs led to the formal establishment of two centers at IHVN: the Center for Public Health Implementation (CPHI) and the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) in 2016. The establishment of IRCE, provides an enabling environment for established and young IHVN researchers, fostering collaborations with Nigerian and international academic and research institutions to address locally relevant public health challenges while showcasing and documenting research outputs and growth.
Vision
To be an internationally reputable center of excellence for the conduct of cutting-edge clinical, laboratory research and clinical trials; training and capacity building in West Africa
Mission
To build a diverse multidisciplinary scientific team to conduct and disseminate high quality research, support the training of future world-class scientists and foster collaborations aimed at improving science and advancing knowledge for the benefit of society and public health.
Core Values
- Excellence
- Innovation
- Interdisciplinary
- Integrity
- Ethics and Social Responsibility
- Sustainability
Goal
To provide leadership in research in Nigeria/(West) Africa through globally standardized expertise, transparency and accountability, positively shifting the culture of research in Africa’.
Opportunities for young Nigerian researchers
To provide opportunities for young Nigerian researchers to develop and execute research projects being mentored by more experienced investigators at IHVN, Nigerian universities, the diaspora, and international research institutions and universities.
Common world class platform
To provide a common world class platform for the implementation of research and clinical trials at international standards as part of global networks
Foster collaboration and synergism
To foster collaboration and synergism between Nigeria’s finest researchers and their counterparts at international research institutions and universities
Safety net for collaborators
To provide a safety net that protects IHVN and its collaborators from liability by proactively ensuring that research conducted at IHVN is under the highest scientific and ethical standards.
Training hub
To establish a training hub that facilitates individual and institutional learning through training and capacity building courses and programs that provide a platform for researchers to gain requisite skills necessary to excel in research and in long term career goals.
Meet Our Management Team
Executive Director, IRCE
Assistant Director & Coordinator, IRCE
Historical Milestones
The International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) was established in 2016 to create an enabling environment that facilitates research activities that serves as a bridge between international and Nigerian researchers
Establishment
IRCE is created and begins research activities with 4 researchers
implementing 3 grants.
Collaboration/Training
IRCE's researchers increase to 8 and are trained in collaboration
with UMB. IRCE has 5 active grants
Set up of Clinical trial Unit for Vaccine and Drug Trials
IRCE sets up its Clinical Trail Unit as staff strength
increases to over 50 staff implementing up to 16 grants
Growth
IRCE has implemented over 45 grants, 30 of which are still active and being implemented by over 112 staff in the central office
