The SAFRI team is with the exception of an administrator, entirely composed of unpaid volunteers who work towards the development of health professions education and research in Africa as part of the community engagement mandate of their own institutions.
The list of who facilitate sessions during the residential sessions is extensive and constantly refreshed as the residential sessions are conduits to further the professional development of SAFRI alumni to be able to contribute to health professions education and research in their own institutions and in the region.
In addition to the facilitating sessions there are a number of FAIMER and SAFRI alumni who also hold positions and portfolios in SAFRI.
The Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) was established in 2000 by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®). FAIMER is a non-profit foundation committed to improving world health by improving health professions education. FAIMER has a number of regional institutes (Brazil, China, Egypt, India, South Africa and the USA) and uses three strategies: faculty development, research to inform health workforce policy and practice, and development of data that advances educational quality improvement decisions.
The Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) was established in 1997 as a department in the South African Medical Association (SAMA). In 2000, FPD was registered as a separate legal entity (Registration Number: 2000/002641/07). The South African Medical Association, a non-profit company, has a 90% shareholding, while the remainder of the shares are employee-owned. FPD partners with SAFRI to present the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Professions Education and Leadership.