The University of Guyana launched its Master of Public Health Programme in August 2014. The formal opening ceremony, which was attended by University and Ministry of Health officials, overseas partners, staff, students and other invitees, was conducted on 16th February 2015.
University of Guyana Officials, CDC Representative, Overseas Partners, Minister of Health and Chief Medical Officer, PAHO Representative, Staff and Students of the MPH Programme, at the Launch Ceremony on 16th February, 2015
The programme has been designed by Guyanese health professionals and educators, with support and input from partners at Vanderbilt University and University of California, San Francisco. In addition to didactic coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health sciences, social and behavioural sciences, and public health management, the curriculum includes field practicum training, which emphasizes clinical epidemiology, surveillance, and applied public health.
The two-year programme is delivered in an executive format, combining twice-monthly weekend sessions (Saturday and Sunday) on campus with distance-learning strategies.
Mission
The University of Guyana MPH Programme seeks to prepare public health professionals and researchers to be leaders and innovators dedicated to improving the public health and preventing disease and disability in an environment rich in learning, discovery, and service.
Vision
The University of Guyana MPH Programme will produce a new generation of public health professionals focused on the health of the people of Guyana and the Caribbean region.
Programme Goals
The MPH Programme will aim to:
- Maintain a high quality programme that addresses public health issues through an internationally accredited curriculum comprised of globally relevant core competencies as well as elective courses and practicum experiences that can be tailored to local health needs.
- Employ Programme faculty who reflect the public health needs of and expertise appropriate for Guyana. Faculty will have advanced degrees in medicine, public health, epidemiology, health services administration, and other relevant subject areas.
- Contribute to improved epidemiology, surveillance, and administrative effectiveness of the Ministry of Health (MOH), centrally and in regional health centres, by providing training to MOH leaders and staff members.
- Produce increased numbers of individuals with the MPH degree and expertise working in the field of public health by recruiting and enrolling up to 20 students into the Programme annually.
- Work with the Ministry of Public Health and other potential employers to plan and maintain a career structure for placing and retaining MPH graduates in public health leadership roles.