By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) of Qatar Foundation yesterday launched the first academic programme of its College of Public Health to help create Qatar’s future leaders in the field.
The Master of Public Health (MPH) programme was launched by Dr Khaled Ben Letaief, Provost, during an event at the Marwan Club within Education City.
The programme aims to equip graduates with skills needed to promote health within societies, prevent ill health and the spread of diseases, Dr Letaief said.
Key local and international health services providers, especially the Supreme Council of Health, is incorporated in implementing the programme.
“Many of HBKU’s multidisciplinary programmes place emphasis on exploring the most pressing challenges facing society and encouraging students to conduct research that will have positive real-world impact. The new programme will play a vital role in training individuals to become highly accomplished leaders in the field,” said Dr Letaief.
Classes for the first batch of students start this Fall, with applications now being accepted. The course will be taught in English and can be studied full time or part time. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution. In addition to health professions of medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and optometry, the programme may attract students of social sciences, engineering, biological sciences, environmental sciences, education and journalism.
They must have an excellent undergraduate academic record with at least one course in biology and one in maths or statistics. Applicants are required to take the IELTS or TOEFL exam to demonstrate their proficiency in English. They can submit their applications via http://www.hbku.edu.qa/MPH
The comprehensive degree will focus on the five core elements of public health — epidemiology; environmental health; biostatistics; health policy and management; and social sciences in public health. Students will be given opportunity to intern within local and international organisations, including hospitals and NGOs, where public health is a priority.
“The programme is structured to provide participants with a profound understanding of the multi-layered nature of public health challenges in the 21st century, with local community outreach a requisite component. Students will be tasked with translating what they learn into concrete methods to build, or improve, the public health programmes of neighbourhoods, community organisations, or the government in Qatar,” said Dr Walid Alali, Coordinator of the programme, College of Public Health.
“As we recognise that career and leadership development support is essential, MPH students will also be given access to internship opportunities and projects with organisations working in the field locally and globally,” he said.
