Global Health (GH) is defined in a variety of ways, but within academia it encompasses interdisciplinary scholarship and practice, promotion of sustainable development, and realisation of social justice based on human rights and equity. GH works to address the challenges of health and wellbeing (for people and populations) in the context of globalisation and other health challenges in the 21st Century. This is a fast-expanding field of study, reflected in the growing number of institutions that teach GH. In Iran specifically, and the region there are currently no courses of study devoted to GH. This is a major gap in the health teaching portfolio of the region, particularly given the burden and complexity of health challenges that the region faces today. The overall goal of our project is to strengthen capacities of higher education institutes in Iran to address complex GH challenges specific to the West Asia and MENA region. Our specific objectives: 1. Establish postgraduate programme in Global Health with focus on specific needs in the Region of West Asia and based on blended learning in 3 higher education institutions (HEI) in Iran; 2. Establish short courses for professional development in Global Health for leaders and decisions -makers in different sectors as well as in public health in Iran; 3. Establish a Centre of Excellence for global health education and research in Iran; 4. Develop technological infrastructure and capacity to run distance learning courses; 5. Develop knowledge, competency and skills in innovative interdisciplinary pedagogical teaching approaches. These aims will contribute to the strengthening of Iran as a regional centre of excellence in teaching and research in GH. We will draw upon the experiences of associated partners in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tunisia to develop regionally appropriate teaching and training materials. The impact of our work is therefore likely to be felt beyond the borders of Iran itself.
To establish in Iran: a blended-learning postgraduate programme in GH focused on specific needs in the West Asia region, in 3 higher education institutions (HEI); short courses for professional development in GH for leaders and decisions-makers in public health and other sectors; a Centre of Excellence for GH education and research; technological infrastructure and capacity for distance learning courses; knowledge, competency and skills in innovative, interdisciplinary pedagogy.
Global health (GH) is an important. fast-expanding field of study, reflected in the growing number of institutions worldwide that teach it. In Iran, the lack of GH study programmes represent a major gap in the health teaching portfolio, particularly given the burden and complexity of health challenges that the region faces today. Theoverall goal of our project was to strengthen capacities of higher education institutes in Iran to address complex GH challenges specific to West Asia and MENA.
<< Background >> Global health (GH) is an important. fast-expanding field of study, reflected in the growing number of institutions worldwide that teach it. In Iran, the lack of GH study programmes represent a major gap in the health teaching portfolio, particularly given the burden and complexity of health challenges that the region faces today. Theoverall goal of our project was to strengthen capacities of higher education institutes in Iran to address complex GH challenges specific to West Asia and MENA. << Objectives >> To establish in Iran: a blended-learning postgraduate programme in GH focused on specific needs in the West Asia region, in 3 higher education institutions (HEI); short courses for professional development in GH for leaders and decisions-makers in public health and other sectors; a Centre of Excellence for GH education and research; technological infrastructure and capacity for distance learning courses; knowledge, competency and skills in innovative, interdisciplinary pedagogy. << Implementation >> A consortium of 6 universities was established, through which an extensive needs assessment was carried out to identify GH needs, and priorities in GH education in the region. An innovative training module for course and curricula development tailored to those specific needs was developed and implemented. Centred around skills-outcome based learning, constructive alignment, and student-centred learning, this training led to the initiation of curriculum design for a 2-year MSc programme in Iran. << Results >> 6 domains of GH education priorities in the region were identified from the needs assessment. 3 of these domains were developed into modules within a 2-year GH programme, and the design of its curriculum was initiated through training workshops led by UM, where educators and programme developers from 3 Iranian universities were trained in course design and curriculum development aligned with the Bologna Process, and facilitated in designing the full programme.