The event commenced at the premises of Badr University in Cairo, bringing together key figures from various institutions, including the Director of the DAAD Regional Office in Cairo, Dr Carsten-Michael Walbiner, Prof. Dr Hassan El Kalla, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr Ashraf El-Shihy, President of Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Prof. Dr Abdelkhalek Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at BUC as well as representatives from the Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) team at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO). This gathering marked a significant occasion for collaboration between these institutions.

The first few days of the summer school were packed with insightful sessions, beginning on Sunday, September 29. Throughout these early discussions, particular attention was given to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Expert panels explored how the One Health approach could address this issue both globally and within Egypt. Additionally, detailed presentations on One Health activities in Egypt were delivered by experts from the WHO, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, and FAO.

On Monday, September 30, the focus shifted to combating diseases such as brucellosis and tuberculosis in the region. Presentations highlighted Kuwait’s One Health approach to these diseases. Following these talks, a session led by Assoc. Prof Eltom from the Institute for Studies and Promotion of Animal Exports, University of Khartoum outlined how to establish a One Health program in the MENA region. Later that afternoon, students were given the opportunity to present their research during seminars, encouraging an environment of knowledge exchange and collaboration.

The program continued on Tuesday, October 1, with a full day visit to the Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute.During this visit, participants explored the entire process of vaccine and antisera production, from discovery to manufacturing. This field visit provided a valuable, hands-on look into the scientific efforts driving public health initiatives in the region.

Fatma Soliman, Deputy Director of the DAAD Regional Office in Cairohighlighted the international scope of the program, with 26 participants from countries including Germany, Egypt, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Morocco, Libya, Kuwait, and Tunisia. She acknowledged the contributions of speakers from institutions like Badr University and Universität   and addressed the participants, “The friends and the company that you make here last for a long time.” She emphasised the DAAD’s role in fostering academic cooperation, noting their scholarships and efforts to promote “Change by Exchange.”

During the second session, Heba Ahmed from DAAD Regional Office Cairo outlined funding opportunities for participants, focusing on individual and institutional funding. She discussed opportunities like practical traineeships for students in technical fields and the Higher Education Dialogue with the Muslim World, fostering collaboration between Egypt and Germany.

Dr Ahmed Abd El Wahed, Lab Head at the Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health,Leipzig University, delivered a presentation on securing research funding, emphasising the importance of understanding the funding landscape and adopting strategic approaches. He introduced the concept of “project anatomy,” outlining the complex funding process involving multiple stakeholders like government bodies and research institutions. Dr Abd El Wahed encouraged researchers to be proactive, likening the process to being an “octopus” with multiple arms, each reaching out to various funding opportunities, stressing that relying solely on standard academic practices is insufficient.

He also highlighted the need to differentiate between funding sources, such as government, foundation, and collaborative projects, each with distinct requirements. By tailoring proposals to these sources, researchers can improve their chances of success. Dr Abd El Wahed provided practical strategies for writing grant proposals, recommending starting with smaller grants to build confidence and focusing on clear, concise communication, particularly in the title and abstract, to capture reviewers’ attention. The participants expressed highly positive feedback regarding the summer school. One participant mentioned that it was “wonderful” and appreciated the well-organized activities, highlighting that “all the activities  weres good.” Another participant echoed this sentiment, describing the sessions as “informative and well-organized.” The balance between lectures and interactive sessions was particularly praised, with one person noting the “good balance between lectures and interactive sessions and exchange.” They also appreciated the opportunity to present their work during the sessions, adding that “we present today, presenting a lot ourselves.”

The summer school continued on Thursday, October 3, with a focus on food safety and public health. The day began with a session led by Elhadi Gubbaej, xxx Uni? on heavy metals in dried milk and their impact on public health. Following that, Prof. Dr Adel Abdelkhalek delivered a session on improving food safety through the One Health approach. In the afternoon, the program was dedicated to student seminars, providing participants with another opportunity to engage in research discussions.

On Friday, October 4, participants took part in practical, hands-on sessions. The morning featured the first practical session on Mobile Laboratory During Outbreak Situations, facilitated by Dr Ceruti. In the afternoon, the focus shifted to the second practical session on Next-Generation Sequencing, led by Dr Abd El Wahed and Dr Eltom.

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, during a seminar led by Prof. Dr Uwe Truyen from the Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health at Leipzig University, participants discussed gaps in infectious disease research related to small animals in Africa. Prof. Dr Truyen highlighted the emerging threats posed by viruses such as coronaviruses, influenza viruses, and morbilliviruses in companion animals, emphasizing the need for a more focused research approach on these issues. Group work was assigned to explore topics like rabies prevention, viral evolution in dogs and cats, and the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pets. These discussions aimed to identify strategies for disease control and prevention, particularly in regions like Africa where companion animals are often overlooked in public health research.

Group 1 presented rabies, a preventable yet deadly viral disease primarily transmitted through the bites of infected animals, especially dogs. Despite the availability of vaccines, rabies still claims thousands of lives annually, mostly in Asia and Africa. The group explored why rabies continues to persist, pointing to inadequate vaccination efforts, lack of awareness, and insufficient healthcare infrastructure as key barriers. They proposed mass dog vaccination campaigns, public education, and improved post-exposure treatments as critical steps toward eradicating rabies globally, aligning their solutions with WHO’s goal of eliminating the disease by 2030.

Other groups explored issues such as viral mutations in influenza and coronaviruses, particularly their impact on dogs and cats. Group 2, for example, discussed how environmental pressures drive viral evolution, leading to new strains that may pose a risk to both animals and humans. Group 6 focused on vaccination in cats, highlighting the immune responses triggered by inactivated vaccines and addressing potential side effects. They debated whether vaccination efforts should target domestic or street cats, particularly in regions like Egypt, where stray animals are abundant and may carry infections such as toxoplasmosis. Each group’s presentation emphasized the importance of cross-species research and the need for collaborative efforts to address the health risks posed by small animals.

During a health communication seminar led by Prof. Mohamed Khalis, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health in Morocco, participants discussed strategic actions to improve public health infrastructure. Prof. Khalis challenged attendees by asking, “If you are nominated as the Minister of Health tomorrow, what are the three strategic decisions you would take?” Responses varied, from upgrading infrastructure to building heart centres in every city and promoting disease prevention. Prof. Khalis emphasised the importance of prevention, highlighting its cost-effectiveness and pointing to Japan, Singapore, and South Korea as examples of countries with high life expectancy due to their focus on lifestyle and public awareness.

The seminar also focused on health communication campaigns as vital tools for promoting behavior change. Prof. Khalis highlighted successful campaigns, such as those during COVID-19 and anti-smoking initiatives, and outlined the steps to create effective campaigns. Participants then engaged in group activities, each focusing on different health issues such as rabies prevention, healthy nutrition, diabetes awareness, and mental health. Through creative approaches like posters and social media, the groups demonstrated how tailored health communication can engage diverse audiences and promote behaviour change.

On the sidelines of the event, Dr Mohamed Saad, Head of the Veterinary Serum & Vaccine Research Institute in Egypt, emphasised the importance of international collaboration in veterinary education, highlighting the value of knowledge exchange among global scholars. “It gives students the opportunity to meet, share knowledge, and improve communication skills,” he said, explaining how these interactions enhance Egypt’s vaccine industry by fostering collaboration between local staff and international experts.

On Sunday, October 6, participants engaged in ‘Meet the Professor sessions’, created a shared interactive spaceand provided an opportunity for all teams to directly collaborate with leading experts, working together to create joint research projects and design the work packages for future initiatives. This collaborative approach encouraged participants to build strong partnerships and develop actionable plans for their research.The final day of the COSIMENA Summer School concluded with a session focused on the role of international organizations in managing emerging diseases, led by Dr Ahmed Abd El Wahed and Dr Arianna Ceruti. They discussed the vital relationship between scientific research, data sharing, and international collaboration in addressing public health crises. Dr Abd El Wahed highlighted the challenges of data privacy and genome sequencing, stating, “Data sharing is vital, but it’s not without challenges,” and explaining how releasing genome data, even for animal diseases, can lead to economic losses and trade restrictions. He stressed the need for strict data-sharing protocols, adding, “Privacy issues extend beyond human data to animal genomes.”

Dr Ceruti then addressed how climate change is creating new ecosystems that enable the spread of pathogens, noting, “Climate change is not just about rising temperatures… it’s about the creation of entirely new ecosystems where diseases like Rift Valley fever or avian influenza can spread.” She emphasised the role of cross-sectoral collaboration, particularly in veterinary public health, in preventing pandemics before they reach humans. Both speakers highlighted the importance of international cooperation, with Dr Abd El Wahed reminding attendees, “Ethical concerns cannot be ignored, especially when it comes to genome data that can affect not just individual privacy but also national security.” Dr Ceruti concluded by stressing that “real-time data sharing and effective international collaboration” are crucial for staying ahead of future global outbreaks.

The COSIMENA funded Summer School came to a close with a session entitled “How to Integrate Young Scientists and Stakeholders in Research,” led by Dr Ahmed Abd El Wahed. As the session began, Dr Abd El Wahed acknowledged the challenge of balancing research and communication in a landscape that often underappreciates the visual aspects of scientific presentation. He explained, “It’s not easy to be a researcher and to create designs that resonate.” His remarks prompted reflections on the significance of aesthetic appeal in scientific communication, underscoring that while engaging visuals can enhance presentations, the primary goal should remain clear: to convey meaningful information.

The discussion evolved into the necessity of including diverse disciplines in scientific endeavours, with Dr Abd El Wahed posing a critical question: “Should we include graphic design in science?” This point resonated with the attendees, particularly when he recounted his own experiences using simple yet impactful visuals in his work. He recalled his first project in 2013, where a straightforward image of a mobile lab served as the focal point of his poster, demonstrating that clarity often triumphs over complexity.

As participants engaged in a lively dialogue about the role of communication in their education, Dr Abd El Wahed shared insights into his approach to crafting effective messages. He advocated for a proactive stance towards learning about communication techniques and urged attendees to leverage modern tools, such as AI, for guidance in professional correspondence. “Whenever you need to do something, take a moment to research how best to approach it,” he advised, highlighting the importance of preparation in effective communication.

In a statement, Prof. Dr Uwe Truyen also stressed the significance of intercultural collaboration in veterinary research, particularly in the context of “One Health.” He remarked, “It’s mandatory that people come together, because it’s One Health,” underscoring the need for unity to address global health challenges. He also highlighted the potential for localized vaccine solutions tailored for North Africa and the mutual benefits of exchange programs for young veterinarians.

Prof. Khalis highlighted the critical role of communication skills in the medical and health fields, explaining, “Communication skills help students engage more with the research community and the wider public,” making them crucial for successful health campaigns. Prof. Dr Adel Abdelkhalek, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, praised the success of the One Health summer school, noting ongoing collaborations and describing One Health as “a triangle between medical, veterinary, and environment.” Teaching assistant Ahmed Kamel Ibrahim valued the global exposure and group activities, noting that One Health could apply to his genetics research, particularly in making livestock more resistant to zoonotic diseases like brucellosis.

Several participants shared their reflections on the program. Amelie Lisa Arneke from Leipzig University emphasized that “One Health is about the health of everyone on a planet which doesn’t have borders,” while Helen Saman from the University of Duhok highlighted the importance of teamwork in addressing health challenges. Samah Abdulrahman Ahmed, the University of Khartoum, shared “ the summer school has completely changed my mind,” reinforcing the importance of animal health in safeguarding human health. She plans to implement One Health strategies in her work on zoonotic diseases back home.