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The
statutes for recognition of colleges of Public Health and
affiliation for international Masters in Public Health (MPH)
courses of the NTR University of Health Sciences has received the
assent of the Honorable Chancellor of the University.
The
IHS has been working with the University in development of the
statutes for MPH courses to address the acute need for public
health management and research capacity within the country. The
Institute had earlier developed a two year certificate of Advanced
Studies in Public Health (APH) program to equip students with
essential public health competencies in such areas as research
methods, policy analysis and management. A curriculum promoting an
interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach to issues related to
public health was developed. Although, the course was not
affiliated to any university, the Institute liaised with the NTR
University of Health Sciences (UHS) regarding the APH program. The
Institute’s objective was, to demonstrate to the UHS, various
innovative features of the program so as to instill a level of
comfort among the University authorities for eventual affiliation
of an International Masters Program in Public Health. The
Institute gained in the University’s perspective of the need for
objectivity in assessment of students and unambiguous transparent
systems of course administration to facilitate appropriate
assessment by the affiliating university. During this period, the
Institute received visitors from the
University
of
Iowa
and exchanged visits to
Iowa
. This interaction provided an opportunity to conceptualize about
twinning programs. A memorandum of understanding between the IHS,
and the University of Iowa College of Public Health has since been
signed. An extensive study of available policies and guidelines
both within
India
and abroad, and relevant literature about quality assurance of
higher educational programs, and schools of public health was
undertaken by the Institute to inform the preparation of the UHS
draft statute.
The
UHS has granted provisional affiliation to the Masters Program in
Public Health at the IHS. The Institute is now awaiting permission
from the government to offer the programme.
Click
here for IHS Guidelines for Development of Colleges of Public
Health And Masters Program in Public Health.
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