The new International Research Training Group (IRTG)1522 „HIV/AIDS and associated infectious diseases in Southern Africa“ was officially launched during a gala of the „Afrikakreis“ in the main auditorium of the University at the Sanderring on 18th November 2008.

The president of the university of Wuerzburg, Axel Haase, referred to the long tradition of the Wuerzburg relations to Africa: already in 1983 partnerships with universities in Nigeria and Niger were built up. Others, e.g. Oran (Algeria) and Kinshasa (Congo), followed.

Due to the new IRTG, a new partnership now also exists with the universities in Cape Town and Stellenbosch. The virologist Prof. Axel Rethwilm has founded this IRTG with colleagues in South Africa. The topic of their research is the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (Aids) – as around 15% of the 48 million South African citizens are affected by this virus.

In research training groups doctoral students work together in a coordinated program. Therefore there will be an exchange among the young researchers from Wuerzburg, Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Summer schools, international symposia, and other activities will also take place.

In South Africa the IRTG 1522 was launched in February 2009.