Joint Strathclyde iPRI institute to deal with global health issues

NEWS RELEASE

A major initiative to tackle global health problems was launched today at the University of Strathclyde.

The Strathclyde Institute of Global Public Health is a new collaboration in research and education between the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and the International Prevention Research Institute (iPRI) in Lyon, France.

The Institute will develop new, collaborative research programmes which will tackle major diseases including cancer. The partnership will also look at the wide range of technological solutions that can help with public health issues such as clean water and effective sanitation.

The launch symposium welcomed Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Harry Burns and key health experts from both organisations.

Sir Harry said: “This is an exciting development that will have implications for our understanding of public health problems in some of the most disadvantaged countries in the world.

“The expertise that this initiative brings together, in terms of our understanding of basic public health interventions, is considerable and I welcome the opportunity to use some of that expertise in developing further our understanding of Scotland’s health issues.”

Professor Kenny Miller, Vice-Principal of the University of Strathclyde, said: “As an international technological University, Strathclyde is committed to working with partners to meet pressing global challenges, including improving lives through better health. The Strathclyde Institute of Global Public Health will build its work on a solid foundation of problem solving, while helping to develop the public health professionals of the future.”

Professor Peter Boyle, President of iPRI – and the first Director of the new Institute – added: “The joint efforts of the International Prevention Research Institute and the University of Strathclyde will result in an Institute which, through research, training and education, will make a contribution to improving the health of the world’s population and health systems globally and contribute to capacity building.

“The model for the future of Health and Public Health research will increasingly focus on country-level empowerment, notably in lower resource countries. This vision will guide much of the Institute’s work.”

The collaboration will also provide a platform for training and education of postgraduate research students who will have the opportunity of studying in two dynamic complementary environments in Glasgow and Lyon. The Institute will launch a Master’s Programme (M.Sc.) on Global Public Health / Engineering as well as a PhD programme.

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www.strath.ac.uk/sigph

About iPRI

The International Prevention Research Institute (iPRI) is an independent research institute with a staff of demonstrated world-class excellence and leadership. iPRI has unparalleled experience in epidemiological research and macro health planning with a record of delivering real health and economic value to a range of public and private sources including governments, universities, research institutes, non-governmental organisations and large multi-national concerns.