Karolinska Institutet (KI) and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to further develop their collaboration in vaccine research and education. The agreement establishes a framework for promoting scientific exchange, joint research and educational initiatives with a focus on global health.
The collaboration between KI and IVI includes, amongst other things, student and researcher exchanges, joint scientific activities, and training and capacity-building initiatives.
The signing was marked by a ceremony at KI’s Flemingsberg campus on 2 September. Among those present were Anh Wartel, IVI’s Deputy Director-General and Head of the European Office; KI’s Vice President Martin Bergö ; and Anna Norrby-Teglund , Head of Unit at the Centre for Infectious Diseases at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge .
“At Karolinska Institutet, we believe that collaboration is crucial to developing and making the vaccines of the future accessible. This partnership is vital to our ambition to contribute to better health for all,” says Martin Bergö.
The collaboration between KI and IVI dates back to 2022, when IVI’s European office was established on the KI Solna campus with support from the Swedish Government. Since then, the organisations have collaborated on several research and education initiatives.
HPV project in low-income countries
One example is the GLOBE-HPV research project, which investigates the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) among girls and women in low- and middle-income countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The project also studies factors that influence access to HPV vaccination, screening and treatment.
KI and IVI also collaborate on education.
“This collaboration strengthens both our research and education in the fields of infectious diseases, immunology, vaccine development and global health. At the same time, it creates valuable opportunities for the next generation of researchers,” says Anna Norrby-Teglund.
Since 2022, an international course in vaccinology has been held in Stockholm, where researchers, healthcare professionals and students from around the world gain in-depth knowledge of vaccine development, from basic research to production and implementation. The course is also part of KI’s postgraduate programme.
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is an international organisation working to develop, make available and promote the use of vaccines, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, in order to improve global health.
