Mohr Bert J, Souilem Ouajdi, Abdussamad Abdussamad M, Benmouloud Abelouafi, Bugnon Phillippe, Chipangura John K, Fahmy Sohair R, Fourie Tamsyn, Gaafar Khadiga, Jillani Ngalla E, Kantyok Josiah T, Martin Louise F, Mokopasetso Mokganedi, Mugisha Lawrence, Nyachieo Atunga, Lewis David I
Centre for Animal Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Lab Anim. 2023 Apr;57(2):136-148. doi: 10.1177/00236772221129976. Epub 2022 Nov 3.
Despite the recognised need for education and training in laboratory animal science (LAS) and ethics in Africa, access to such opportunities has historically been limited. To address this, the Pan-African Network for Laboratory Animal Science and Ethics (PAN-LASE) was established to pioneer a support network for the development of education and training in LAS and ethics across the African continent.In the 4.5 years since the establishment of PAN-LASE, 3635 individuals from 28 African countries have participated in our educational activities. Returning to their home institutions, they have both established and strengthened institutional and regional hubs of knowledge and competence across the continent. Additionally, PAN-LASE supported the development of guidelines for establishment of institutional Animal Ethics Committees, a critical step in the implementation of ethical review processes across the continent, and in enhancing animal welfare and scientific research standards.Key challenges and opportunities for PAN-LASE going forward include the formalisation of the network; the sustainability of education and training programmes; implementation of effective hub-and-spoke models of educational provision; strengthening governance frameworks at institutional, national and regional levels; and the availability of Africa-centric open access educational resources.Our activities are enhancing animal welfare and the quality of animal research undertaken across Africa, enabling African researchers to undertake world-leading research to offer solutions to the challenges facing the continent. The challenges, successes and the lessons learnt from PAN-LASE's journey are applicable to other low- and middle-income countries across the world seeking to enhance animal welfare, research ethics and ethical review in their own country or region.
尽管人们认识到非洲需要开展实验动物科学（LAS）教育与培训以及动物伦理教育，但历史上获得此类机会一直很有限。为解决这一问题，泛非实验动物科学与伦理网络（PAN-LASE）成立，旨在开创一个支持网络，以推动非洲大陆LAS教育与培训以及动物伦理方面的发展。
自PAN-LASE成立的4.5年里，来自28个非洲国家的3635人参与了我们的教育活动。回到本国机构后，他们在非洲大陆建立并加强了机构和区域知识与能力中心。此外，PAN-LASE支持制定了机构动物伦理委员会的设立指南，这是在非洲大陆实施伦理审查程序、提高动物福利和科研标准的关键一步。
PAN-LASE未来面临的主要挑战和机遇包括网络的正规化；教育与培训项目的可持续性；实施有效的教育提供中心辐射模式；加强机构、国家和区域层面的治理框架；以及提供以非洲为中心的开放获取教育资源。
我们的活动正在提高非洲各地的动物福利和动物研究质量，使非洲研究人员能够开展世界领先的研究，为非洲大陆面临的挑战提供解决方案。PAN-LASE历程中的挑战、成功经验和教训适用于世界其他寻求在本国或本地区提高动物福利、研究伦理和伦理审查的低收入和中等收入国家。
