The International Global Health Advisory Board Meeting Was Hosted By Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), India conducted the International Advisory Board of the Global Health program on 15th and 16th April 2023 followed by the Global Health Symposium.

The board is meeting under the aegis of MAHE and the occasion was graced on 15th April 2023 by Lt Gen (Dr) MD Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao K, Pro Vice Chancellor- Health Sciences, Dr Giridhar Kini P, Registrar, Dr. Karunakar Kotegar, Director – International Relations and, Dr. Helmut Brand, Director – Prasanna School of Public Health.  The meeting was chaired by Dr. Thijs Teeling, Director, Covalence, with representation from seven partner universities, including Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Colombia, Thailand, India and Sudan. 

Dr. Thijs Teeling is presiding over the meeting and stated: “I am very happy to be in Manipal and grateful to MAHE for hosting the board and students for the symposium. I am impressed by the preparation and coordination of the events and am looking forward to meeting the students at the Symposium. To this point, the meeting has been a great success.” 

Video greetings to the board and MAHE leadership were presented from the President of Maastricht University, Prof. Dr. Rianne Letschert and the Dean and Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Prof. Dr. Paul M. O’Byrne.  The Global Health International Consortium website and logo were presented by Dr. Agnes Meershoek from Maastricht University which was applauded as a step in the right direction. 

Lt. Gen. MD Venkatesh, the Vice Chancellor of MAHE stated: ‘Global health is of paramount importance and is in accordance with the vision of the founder, Dr. TMA Pai who had worked towards the provision of quality healthcare, education and development.”  He also emphasized that the deliberations of the Advisory Board and the development of a website dedicated to the Consortium for Global Health were in line with the theme of India's G20 Presidency - “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth. One Family. One Future.”

During the meeting, the guest speaker was Maj. Gen. (Dr. Prof.) Atul Kotwal SM, VSM (Retd)., Executive Director, National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and he provided comprehensive insights on the topic of ‘Global Health Leadership and Partnerships in Health System Strengthening Efforts’ emphasizing the example of India’s efforts towards equity with impacts on the local and global platforms.

Following the Advisory Board Meeting, the annual Global Health Symposium will take place between 16th-28th April, 2023 bringing together over 300 students and 37 faculty from partner institutions.