Membership demonstrates commitment to addressing global health challenges
The University of Wollongong (UOW) has demonstrated its commitment to helping address global health challenges by joining the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH).
Established in 2008, the Washington, DC-based organisation represents over 170 academic institutions in over 35 countries engaged in addressing global health challenges and supports them to improve the wellbeing of people and the planet.
As the world’s largest consortium of academic institutions addressing global health challenges, CUGH, aims to help universities be a transforming force in global health by providing education, research, service, and advocacy.
The consortium brings together universities in more than 35 countries including USA, Canada, Mexico, UK, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, China, India, Bangladesh, South Korea, Philippines, South Africa, Zambia, Peru and Ecuador as well as Australia.
UOW is only the third Australian university to join the Consortium, alongside the Universities of Melbourne and Queensland.
UOW’s membership will enable mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations that strengthen institutional capacity, exchange knowledge and support university-based global health programs. The Consortium also provides opportunities for students to engage in global health work and participate in student-led activities to help prepare them to be the next generation of health and academic leaders.
UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patricia M. Davidson, said the decision to join the Consortium signals the University’s intent to make health central to its future.
“The University of Wollongong has always adapted to meet the needs of our communities. Even before the current pandemic we were seeing health and wellbeing emerge as a major need locally and beyond. Now, since COVID-19, the need for our university to play a more significant role in health and wellbeing is even greater.
“I am very proud to see UOW join this global consortium of universities committed to doing all they can to meet these needs,” Professor Davidson said.
CUGH’s founding Executive Director, Dr Keith Martin, welcomed UOW’s decision to join the consortium.
“These are challenging times. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shone a stark light on the global health challenges before us, particularly for those who are least advantaged. Universities are playing a vital role in addressing those challenges.
“As a university with notable strengths in medical research, innovation and education and one already pursuing ambitious projects to address the health, social and environmental challenges before us we are deeply honoured to have UOW join CUGH.
“I want to express my gratitude and acknowledge Professor Davidson’s outstanding leadership in focusing UOW’s efforts towards health and the other determinants of wellbeing at this time and choosing to add UOW’s strengths to our consortium’s global efforts,” Dr Martin said.
