Global Public Health Forum Advocates Competency-Based Education

From April 19–21, 2024, Zhejiang University hosted the International Forum on Public Health and Emergency Workforce: Competency-Based Education at its Zijingang Campus. Over 240 participants from 58 universities across 20 countries attended, alongside representatives from WHO, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and global health agencies.

The International Higher School of Medicine (IHSM) was represented by Makhabat K. Karagulova, Ph.D. (Philology), Associate Professor, and Head of the International Affairs Department. Her presence highlighted IHSM’s commitment to global collaboration in advancing public health education and workforce development.

The forum emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration and strategies for enhancing public health education. A highlight was the launch of the Public Health Interprofessional Leadership Alliance (PHILA), aimed at strengthening global partnerships in public health training.

Keynote speeches addressed topics like competency-based education, digital intelligence in health sciences, and innovative teaching frameworks. Experts also discussed challenges in public health education and proposed solutions, including enhanced faculty training and bridging theory-practice gaps.

The event concluded with visits to Zhejiang University’s Intelligent Health Laboratory, showcasing cutting-edge research infrastructure. Participants expressed a shared commitment to advancing global public health goals.