01
Training
Accredited curricula from bachelor's to doctorate, complemented by CFESCO continuing education, driven by active pedagogy and an expert teaching staff.
Our institution
A regional centre of excellence serving African public health
Since 1977, IRSP-CAQ has been training, researching and advising to strengthen the continent's health systems — under the aegis of the University of Abomey-Calavi and within a certified quality framework.
About us
A history born of a regional ambition
The Comlan Alfred Quenum Regional Institute of Public Health was founded in 1977 in Ouidah through cooperation between the World Health Organization and Benin. Its vocation: to equip the continent with professionals able to design, steer and evaluate health policies suited to their realities.
Under the academic oversight of the University of Abomey-Calavi since 2010, the Institute welcomes students from French-, English- and Portuguese-speaking Africa. It combines adult-learning pedagogy, applied research and field expertise.
Its quality framework, certified ISO 29993:2017, guarantees the rigour and international recognition of its programmes.
49
years of excellence
ISO 29993
Founded in 1977 · WHO-Africa
An initiative of the WHO Regional Office, Ouidah.
University of Abomey-Calavi
Attached institute, recognised B·M·D degrees.
Our history
Nearly five decades serving African health
1977
Founded by WHO-Africa
The Institute is founded in Ouidah at the initiative of the WHO Regional Office to strengthen African public-health capacities.
2010
Academic oversight by UAC
Attachment to the University of Abomey-Calavi and strengthening of degree programmes aligned with international standards.
2024
ECOWAS One Health Summer School
2nd edition of the regional 'One Health' summer school with WAHO — training professionals from 15 countries.
1985
First graduating cohorts
The first professionals trained by IRSP take up positions in the health systems of the ECOWAS region.
2017
ISO 29993:2017 certification
The Institute earns the international certification for learning services outside formal education — a first in sub-Saharan Africa.
Our mission
Three inseparable pillars
Contributing to better-performing health systems in Africa through training, research and expertise.
02
Research
Applied research addressing regional health challenges: One Health, epidemiology, sexual and reproductive health, health systems.
03
Expertise
Expertise available to governments, agencies and organisations to support public-health decisions and programmes.
Vision
Making public health a development lever for Africa
IRSP-CAQ aims to be the regional reference for public-health training and research, educating leaders capable of durably transforming the continent's health systems.
Our values
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Solidarity
Message from the Executive Committee
« Building together an institute that is more useful, more demanding and more open. »
Located at the heart of Ouidah's tourist hub, a place of African memory, IRSP-CAQ is a central actor in African public health, created in 1977 through cooperation between WHO and Benin, with a threefold vocation: training, research, and technical assistance for the health development of countries in the region.
Under the academic oversight of the University of Abomey-Calavi since 2010, our degree offering has been strengthened, aligned with international standards and diversified, alongside the other activities in our portfolio.
To those who wish to train, collaborate, support or join the Institute: IRSP-CAQ needs all energies faithful to its vocation. Welcome back home.
1977
Year of creation
under the aegis of WHO
8
Master's
specialisations
20
Institutional
partners
ISO
29993:2017
Certified
Governance
Institute organisation
The management committee and the four academic departments that structure the Institute.
The team is not published yet. Please check back soon.
« IRSP-CAQ gave me the conceptual and practical tools to transform my country's health policy. What I learned in Ouidah, I apply every day in my duties within the Ministry. »
A quality framework certified ISO 29993:2017
The certification attests that our learning services comply with international standards: instructional design, learning assessment, transparency of information and continuous improvement.
Institutional partners & donors
Discover our programmes
From undergraduate to doctorate, find the path that matches your professional project.