The partners developed and implemented a comprehensive university HIV/AIDS policy to improve the University of Western Cape’s (UWC) capacity to increase awareness about and manage the HIV/AIDS epidemic within the campus environment. Their goals were to: (1) assess the areas of need for HIV/AIDS services and support at UWC; (2) reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS among UWC staff, students, and their families; and (3) enhance coping skills and treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS.

The partners also worked to reduce the stigma, and its consequences, associated with HIV/AIDS and to explore the link between HIV/AIDS and the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs on both the UWC and Howard University (HU) campuses. The partners developed faculty and staff exchanges, developed joint research projects for faculty and students at both institutions on HIV/AIDS higher education policy, and conducted HIV/AIDS-related workshops, conferences, and seminars.  Their hallmark activity was the development, campus wide dissemination (to both students and faculty), and analysis of a lifestyle survey.  As a result, the partnership was successful in enhancing UWC’s capacity to carry out methodologically sound, multidisciplinary research with large-samples.