Page 14 - AnnualReport2022-23

The Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation and scientific writing. Promising candidates may
(CSSFF) – SAMRC Biomanufacturing Capacity be offered industry internships or opportunities
Development Programme commenced in the for postgraduate studies upon completion of their
2022/23 financial year with the first cohort of training. An open competitive call was also run
studentships. This is an ambitious programme to for Masters and doctoral scholarships for studies
build a vaccine manufacturing workforce, with a focussed on vaccine-related research to build
commitment of R100M over 5 years from the Chan the next generation of researchers. These will
Soon-Shiong Family Foundation and co-funding commence in the next financial year. The CSSFF-
from the SAMRC. The programme (as depicted in SAMRC Fellowship programme will also be initiated
the Figure) includes Studentships, Scholarships in 2023/24. These fellows will be expected to build
for Masters and doctoral degrees and Fellowships vaccine research in Africa, provide mentorship and
aimed at graduates and researchers in vaccine- establish robust industry partnerships.
related disciplines in the health, life and allied
sciences. The first call for Studentships was launched The CSSFF-SAMRC capacity development
in August 2022 and two cohorts of students have programme will grow the next generation of vaccine
been selected. The first cohort of 15 trainees professionals, researchers, and technical experts,
commenced their training in February 2023 and the build much needed capacity and infrastructure, and
second cohort will commence in July 2023. They are establish a network through which vaccine R&D and
receiving technical training that will equip them to innovation can be nurtured and thrive. Ultimately,
work in a commercial biomanufacturing environment, this is aimed at growing the industry, contributing
including in laboratory science, process engineering to the economy and ensuring that LMICs, including
and quality assurance as well as scientific and South Africa, are prepared to rapidly respond to the
research processes, such as experimental design next pandemic.

Some of the first cohort of students, who started their training in February 2023.

12 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2022-23