Mumbai, 29th September 2025: Taking forward its vision of shaping resilient health systems, IIHMR University, in collaboration with the South-East Asia Public Health Education Institutions Network (SEAPHEIN), organized the first session of the SEAPHEIN Webinar on “Landscape of Public Health Education Programs in the South-East Asia Region (SEAR)”.
At a time when India is battling recurring public health emergencies like the recent floods in Uttarakhand and Punjab to the continuing lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative placed public health education firmly on the national and regional agenda.
The dialogue, attended by over 200 public health leaders and experts from India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Switzerland, called for generating region-specific solutions to better prepare nations for future crises.
The discussions highlighted the supply and demand dynamics, faculty requirements, development strategies, and challenges in promoting public health programs in SEAR. During the deliberations, experts unanimously recommended advancing accreditation processes to uphold global standards, investing significantly in faculty development, and promoting collaborative, cross-border research.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. P.R. Sodani, President of IIHMR University and Secretary-General of SEAPHEIN, emphasized, “Public health education is not only about strengthening academic curricula but also about preparing students to address real-world health challenges. We are committed to promoting collaborative initiatives that advance public health education throughout South-East Asia.”
Dr. S.D. Gupta, President of IIHMR and President of SEAPHEIN, chaired and moderated the session. He underscored the importance of capacity building, leadership development, and fostering strategic partnerships among public health professionals to advance innovation and practice-focused learning within the sector.
The webinar was graced by Prof. R. Surenthiran Kuruman
Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Prof. Hla Hla Win
Professor, STI Health Science University, Myanmar, Prof. Neyzang Wangmo
Former Director, Medical Education Centre for Research Innovation Training, Khesar Gyelpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Prof. Sharemeen Yasmeen
Chairperson, Public Health Foundation of Bangladesh, Prof. Sanjay Zodpey
President, Public Health Foundation of India, and Prof. John Middleton
Honorary Professor of Public Health, Wolverhampton University (UK), President of the Faculty of Public Health UK, Vice President of the Global Network for Academic Public Health (GNAPH).