Six African universities develop a generic biomedical engineering curriculum

Abstract

Six African Universities have adopted a generic programme for developing biomedical engineering (BME) curriculum as a result of an initiative supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The initiative, termed “Engineering Expertise to Improve Health Outcomes in Africa” includes representatives from universities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and Zambia. The curriculum will now guide the participating universities in developing their own BME programmes and departments. “The main goal is to build the Africa’s capacity to maintain, modify and upgrade medical devices as well as to develop and bring to market unique, robust and reliable medical devices,” she said. By so doing, the project could save lives, save money, promote innovation and entrepreneurship as well as create jobs and wealth.