The Manhiça Health Research Center (CISM)is a well-established research center with a strong and consolidated research capacity into communicable diseases prevalent in Mozambique, with particular focus on the main causes of morbidity and mortality. Since its creation, CISM has grown within the framework of a bilateral cooperation programme between the Mozambican and Spanish governments and with support from the Hospital Clinic (HC) and the University of Barcelona (UB) to fight diseases and protect the health of vulnerable populations through research, healthcare and training.

In 2008 the Manhiça Foundation was created representing one of the most important events in the development of the Centre because it entitled CISM to a Mozambican legal framework, which facilitates its sustainability and long-term autonomy. In 2010, as part of this strategy for integration and country ownership, the Foundation for Community Development and Eduardo Mondlane University joined as partners. And in 2015, the Barcelona Institute for Global Health replaced the HC and the UB.

One of the key strategies of this partnership to build CISM’s research environment has been the training of staff through the joint development of capacity building and strengthening activities. After 27 years of successful collaboration, a Training Fellowship Programme has been established to train young African graduates wishing to develop their career as researchers; the program provides hands-on training within research projects implemented at CISM. Many training courses and workshops have been developed to train clinical researchers, technicians, data managers, etc.; and networks with other Sub-Saharan African countries have been established to strengthen research capacities (e.g., TESA). All these efforts succeeded in awarding 114 postgraduate degrees in collaboration with North and South universities all over the world for both African and international students: 63 doctorates and 47 master; more than 140 research and training internships; and more than 10 funded collaborative projects.