【Group photo】From left: Dr.Msusa, Prof. Miyokawa, Dr.Muzandu, Dr.Mwape, Prof.Muya, Ms.Khumalo, Ms.Mulavu, Prof.Suzuki, Prof.Sawa
On September 28, 2026, IVReD welcomed a delegation from the University of Zambia (UNZA), led by Prof. Mundia Muya, Vice-Chancellor of UNZA. The delegation included Dr. Lonia Mwape, Dean of the School of Nursing Sciences, Dr. Kaampwe Muzandu, Acting Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Kennedy Msusa, Director of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office. The delegation was accompanied by Prof.Norifumi Miyokawa, Deputy Director of Hokkaido University’s Institute for International Collaboration.
The visit was arranged at the request of the UNZA, whose delegation expressed an interest in engaging with IVReD during their visit to Hokkaido University(HU) to commemorate its 150th anniversary.
Three Zambian graduate students currently enrolled in the Graduate School of Infectious Diseases at HU who are doing research at IVReD also participated in the visit. Two of the students presented their ongoing research projects at IVReD. Presentation details are as follows.
◆ Ms. Malala Mulavu（D2. The Graduate school of Infectious disease）
- Transcriptomic remodeling induced by air-liquid interface (ALI) culture enhances viral susceptibility.
- Lyssavirus sero-surveillance in bat sera collected from Zambia
【Presentation by Ms. Mulavu】
◆ Ms. Cynthia Sipho Khumalo (D2, The Graduate School of Infectious Diseases）
- Development of a novel ELISA-based neutralization assay for Orthoflavivirus
【Presentation by Ms.Khumalo】
Following the research presentations, the delegation toured IVReD’s research facilities, where they were introduced to IVReD’s ongoing infectious disease research and vaccine development activities.
【Tour of IVReD Facilities】
HU and UNZA have maintained close ties in joint research, human resource development, and other areas for more than 40 years, dating back to the establishment of the University of Zambia’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 1985. Director of IVReD Hirofumi Sawa and Deputy Director Yasuhiko Suzuki have maintained longstanding academic ties with the UNZA. Over the years, they have actively promoted collaborative research and capacity building in the field of infectious diseases, including welcoming graduates of the UNZA to pursue postgraduate studies at HU.
Building on this longstanding relationship, the visit provided an opportunity to reflect on achievements in research and education and to exchange views on further strengthening collaboration between the two institutions.
The visit highlighted the achievements of the longstanding academic partnership between Hokkaido University and the University of Zambia. Productive discussions focused on fostering the next generation of infectious disease researchers, strengthening international research networks, and exploring new opportunities for collaborative research.
IVReD remains committed to strengthening its partnerships with the University of Zambia and other research and educational institutions worldwide. Through international collaboration, we will continue to advance vaccine research and development and contribute to global efforts to prevent and control infectious diseases.