Rationale and aims of the program

Advances in public health practice are dependent on advances made in the science as well as the art of the public health profession. The decentralization of authorities and responsibilities to sub-national (regional) levels and the strengthening of program areas demand a better-trained human resource. The master’s program focuses on more specific public health interventions and programmatic issues as well as on more advanced methodological issues about gathering and utilizing public health pieces of evidence.

To implement the present health policy and strategy, the following are the expected needs:

1. Service and management level needs (national to woreda level)
2. National health and health-related institution’s needs (e.g. national research, nutrition, etc)
3. Non-governmental health and related organizations need
4. Mid-level and higher training institutions need

Therefore, this training program is initiated with the following rationales:

1. The non-winning urge to minimize the shortage of trained human resources in public health service and teaching areas in the country
2. To produce specialized professionals who can handle competently issues related to epidemiological methods and designs in tackling the health problems of the nation
3. To produce professionals who can undertake surveillance activities and manage epidemic conditions
4. The need for public health professionals’ researchers, academicians, managers, and team leaders in the service and training institutions.

This program is designed:

• Attract qualified individuals within the community and beyond to advance their skill sets and pursue their Master of Public Health to better serve their country’s needs.
• Focus on producing experts in public health program design and implementation by highlighting specific public health issues as case studies in an otherwise generalized curriculum.
• Help create a venue for technical and ideological exchange between students and relevant experts, domestic and abroad, on themes in public health.

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Goals of Public Health Training at Rift Valley University

Rift Valley University, Department of Public Health is established for professionals who would manage health services and educators for health institutions and various health professionals for modern health services in Ethiopia.

The training methodology at the Department of Public Health adapts educational principles for a variety of health professions. The department emphasizes practical team-based learning approaches and community-based applications across the health sector in teaching as well as service delivery settings.

Rift Valley University has made all the necessary preparations and the needed resources in order to launch this new program effectively.

We strongly believe that Rift Valley University has adequate, motivated and committed 5

public health specialist staff. However, if there is needed, technical assistance for course delivery and thesis advisory will be available from domestic public health experts from Addis Ababa University and other institutions

Therefore, graduates of GMPH will possess the skills necessary to become highly effective public health practitioners and leaders.

• To produce graduate skill full and effective in public health profession
• To create state of the art learning opportunities for faculty and students.
• To establish collaborations and partnerships within the RVU constituent/affiliated colleges and other educational and health care institutes.
• To nurture research skill and practice of problem solving in public health
• To create state of the art learning opportunities for faculty and students.
• To advocate for good public health policy, evidence based practice and efficient health care delivery systems.