Representatives of the UNMC College of Public Health traveled to Rwanda from August 4-10 to work on building educational programs and international collaborations.
The public health delegation included Jessica Tschirren, assistant dean for student affairs for the college, Abbie Raikes, PhD, director of the Center for Global Health and Development, and Danielle Thies, program manager of the Center for Global Health and Development. The delegation was met in Rwanda by Vicky Nakibuuka, project manager for the Global Center for Health Security.
The delegation met with leaders from the medical and public health community in Kigali, Rwanda. The group discussed collaborations with the University of Rwanda’s School of Public Health and the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture.
“At the UNMC College of Public Health, we firmly believe that global partnerships are essential for addressing the pressing issues faced by our communities,” Tschirren said. “Such collaborations enable us to combine our expertise, resources and diverse perspectives to develop innovative solutions and make a meaningful impact.”
While the delegation was in Rwanda, the representatives had several site visits, including a rural district hospital and the largest hospital in Rwanda.
“Our students stand to gain invaluable experiences by engaging in cultural exchange programs, cross-cultural research and international fieldwork opportunities,” Dr. Raikes said. “Exposure to diverse health systems, unique epidemiological profiles and social determinants of health will foster their growth as global citizens and enhance their ability to address health disparities at home and abroad.”
On top of building and strengthening partnerships between UNMC and Rwanda, the delegation is developing an international travel course for graduate-level students for summer 2024.
“This would include pre-travel course work, starting with global health in general and transitioning to specifics about public health in Rwanda,” Thies said. “We would then plan to bring the students to Rwanda for approximately two weeks during the summer term for a first-person look at public health outside the U.S.”
Members of the delegation said they were pleased with the success of the trip and greatly appreciated the warmth and hospitality of the people of Rwanda.