Dr Jean Claude Katte is from Cameroon. He gives us his thoughts on the epidemiology training he attended, in the run-up to the First African Diabetes Congress in Arusha.

Being part of the post-graduate course in Epidemiology and Translational Research in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease was a dream come true.

Organised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Africa region, I found the programme to be incredibly timely for clinicians aspiring to build careers in clinical research.

The programme ran over a four days and covered topics from basic statistics and study designs to type 1 diabetes and most importantly the development of a research protocol for clinical research.

The facilitators were deeply motivated and all the lectures outlined in the programme were covered efficiently.

Personally, I have learnt a lot in these four days. I wish this experience could be repeated every year!

I am leaving Arusha with an amazing amount of knowledge in epidemiology.

I am now more motivated than ever to initiate and to be involved in research that will bring a change in current methods of medical practise. I want to be part of changes that will improve the quality of medical care and the quality of life for my patients.

I wish to thank the organisation committee and the course facilitators for their time and expertise