OFFICE FOR
GLOBAL HEALTH
SYDNEY MEDICAL
SCHOOL
“Health issues that transcend national
boundaries and governments and call
for actions on the global forces that
determine the health of people”
Kickbush, I. (2006). The need for a European strategy on
global health. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 34(6),
34(6), 561–565
“Collaborative international research
and action for promoting health for all”
Beaglehole, R., & Bonita, R. (2010). What is global health?
Global Health Action. 3, 5142
DEFINITIONS OF
GLOBAL HEALTH
“Global Health is derived from public health and international
health. It can be thought of as a notion (the current state
of global health), an objective (a world of healthy people, a
condition of global health), or a mix of scholarship, research,
and practice (with many questions, issues, skills, and
competencies).
An area for study, research, and practice that places a priority
on improving health and achieving health equity for all people
worldwide . . . Embraces both prevention in populations and
clinical care of individuals.
Highly interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary within and beyond
health sciences”
Kickbush, I. (2006). The need for a European strategy on global health. Scandinavian Journal of
Public Health, 34(6), 34(6), 561–565
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VALUES UNDERPINNING OGH
ACTIVITIES
COLLABORATION
–– We bring people with different skills,
perspectives and experiences together to
focus on global health.
–– We share aims and responsibilities with a
variety of stakeholders.
–– We adopt flexible, adaptable frameworks.
–– We strive for a better understanding and
improved outcomes through teamwork.
RELATIONSHIPS
–– We invest in building and maintaining
relationships, based on trust, respect and
information sharing.
–– We communicate effectively and responsively
to achieve productive, sustainable and
mutually beneficial relationships.
IMPACT
–– We support development of best practice.
–– We foster development of health champions
and community leaders at home and abroad
through innovation in research and education.
–– We achieve improved and sustainable health
outcomes.
FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR
ACTIVITIES
LEARNING
–– High quality pedagogy
–– Continuous, open attitude to learning
–– Shared environment conducive to learning
–– Learner centered approach
–– A focus on application in practice.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
–– Gender equality, empowerment of
communities, fairness
–– Cultural sensitivity
–– Acknowledgement of different values and
beliefs
–– Provision of an equal opportunity
environment.
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WHAT WE DO
The Office for Global Health (OGH) drives the
internationalization of our health focused research, learning
and teaching. The OGH establishes and maintains links
with key international partners and government agencies
to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our region,
by engaging in health projects to tackle some of the most
challenging problems. We have particular expertise in working
collaboratively with local in-country partners to build human
resource capacity, especially in maternal and child health
and health literacy. The OGH aims to positively impact global
health and well-being through sustainable partnerships, shared
learning and scholarship.
OUR ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
–– Forging and maintaining strategic key
relationships with other internationally
focused stakeholders.
–– Brokerage of international grants.
–– Financial management of OGH-managed
projects.
–– Support of students and academics within
the health faculties in their international
endeavors including:
–– Educational experience with our exchange
partners,
–– Maintaining relationships with overseas
partners,
–– Facilitation of research collaboration.
–– Provide executive summaries, describing
in country engagement (including grants,
agreements and publications).
–– Market intelligence.
–– Review final draft of grant applications.
–– Management of student exchange.
MAJOR PRIORITY
COUNTRIES 2014–2016
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FIRST TIER
(HIGH LEVEL STRATEGIC ADVICE & SUPPORT)
CHINA
(Including Hong Kong)
–– Does not receive Overseas Development Aid
from Australia although approximately 10%
of population still live below the poverty line
(central and Western China).
–– China is undergoing profound structural,
economic and social changes.
–– World’s most populous country (which brings
several emerging public health problems).
–– Major infrastructure and human capacity
building efforts.
–– Access to Chinese government grants to
support collaborations.
–– Longstanding collaborations with evident
research outcomes.
www.who.int/countries/chn/en/
VIETNAM
–– Significant, longstanding diplomacy, relations
and agreements between Vietnam and
Sydney Medical School through Hoc Mai
Foundation and affiliated programmes.
–– Vietnam remains a priority country for
Australian Aid but is not included under the
present New Colombo Plan.
–– Vietnam has made significant gains against
Millennium Development Goals but is still
plagued by poverty and inequitable access to
healthcare.
–– As Vietnam transitions to middle-income
economic status, Australia continues to
prove one of the most popular destinations
for Vietnamese undergraduate and graduate
students.
www.who.int/countries/vnm/en/
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MAJOR PRIORITY COUNTRIES 2014–2016
FIRST TIER
(HIGH LEVEL STRATEGIC ADVICE & SUPPORT)
india
–– India is the second most populous country in
the world, comprising of 17.5% of the world’s
population, with ¾ living in rural areas. The
country is undergoing an unprecedented
process of economic, demographic and social
transformation.
–– Every year, roughly 5.8 million Indians die from
heart and lung diseases, stroke, cancer and
diabetes. In other words, 1 in 4 Indians risks
dying from an NCD before they reach the age
of 70.
–– India no longer receives ODA, and has
a standing now as a bilateral partner in
schemes such as the AISRF. Targeted
assistance is provided through multilateral
organisations and regional or global
programmes.
www.who.int/countries/ind/en/
MYANMAR
–– Priority of university of Sydney and SMS,
strong interests from various disciplines
within SMS.
–– Enormous aid influx leading to rapid
economic, constitutional and cultural reforms.
–– Maternal, perinatal and under five
mortality rates are Myanmar government’s
priorities, yet struggling to meet Millennium
Development goals 4 and 5 by 2015.
–– Myanmar government has ambitious reform
agenda in health and education.
–– Australia government’s aims to help Myanmar
communities to reduce poverty and help
the country transition to a stable, more
democratic and more prosperous member of
the region and the international community.
www.who.int/countries/mmr/en/
PHILIPPINES
–– The Philippines has a strategic regional
location. International and multilateral
development agencies hold offices in the
country.
–– Sydney School of Public Health has an
active engagement in the country through
the Classroom in the Field (CIF) Philippines
program (MIPH).
–– Collaboration with other universities and
institutions in the country is also explored.
www.who.int/countries/phl/en/
INDONESIA
–– Long standing diplomatic relationship,
Indonesia is one of Australia’s most important
bilateral relationships.
–– Australia is the largest bilateral grant-based
donor to Indonesia, providing a wide range
of technical and economic support to the
country.
www.who.int/countries/idn/en/
MAJOR PRIORITY COUNTRIES 2014–2016
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SECOND TIER
(LOW LEVEL STRATEGIC ADVICE & SUPPORT)
SOUTH EAST ASIA
(Timor Leste, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia,
Laos, Thailand)
–– Significant University wide support through
SSEAC.
–– Timor Leste is one of the world’s newest
nations, but also one of the poorest. The
University of Sydney aims to strengthen its
health system through capacity building and
collaboration with UNTL and the MoH.
–– Australia and Thailand have longstanding
and deep connections, 2012 marked the
60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
In November 2003, the Thai Government
expressed its wish to transition from being an
aid recipient to being an aid donor. Australia
also continues to provide limited support
to Thailand as part of efforts to strengthen
the capacity of regional organisations such
as ASEAN and APEC. Thailand is a priority
country of SSEAC in 2014. A recent high
level visit by Thai medical delegation in April
highlighted the research/donation potential.
A joint symposium with Chulalongkorn will be
held in August. Australia is the 5th popular
destination for Thai Government scholarship
recipients.
–– The University of Sydney has an extensive
presence in Cambodia in the areas of
archaeology and agriculture, whilst Sydney
Medical School has a burgeoning student
mobility programme.
–– The University of Sydney has significant
involvement in Laos in the areas of veterinary
science and agriculture, whilst Sydney
Medical School has an emerging student
mobility programme.
–– Laos and Cambodia have struggled to meet
MDGs and continue to attract funding under
DFATs Australian Aid programme.
SOUTH ASIA
(Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka)
–– One of the highest child malnutrition rates in
the world, with 1/5 of the world’s population
residing in the region.
–– Poorest region in the world (after SubSaharan Africa).
LATIN AMERICA
(Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile)
NORTH AMERICA
(USA and Canada)
–– There is a recognised growing demand for
Sydney Medical School students to undertake
clinical placements in North America, fuelled
by increasing numbers of North American,
predominantly Canadian, students enrolled in
our programmes.
UK AND EUROPE
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MAJOR PRIORITY COUNTRIES 2014–2016
THIRD TIER
(LOWER LEVEL STRATEGIC ADVICE)
PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES (Fiji, PNG)
MIDDLE EAST
NORTH EAST ASIA
(Japan, South Korea, Mongolia)
AFRICAN COUNTRIES
NEW ZEALAND
CROSS FACULTY
PARTNERSHIPS
WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY
OF SYDNEY
The OGH works closely with the other Faculties in our Division
(Dentistry, Pharmacy and Nursing and Midwifery) and with
the Faculty of Health Sciences. We also assist with linking
researchers in cross-faculty partnerships with veterinary
science, agriculture, business and engineering. The OGH also
aims to collaborate closely with the International Portfolio,
International Services, Admissions and Recruitment, Marketing
and Communications staff to maintain a highly effective
strategic approach to international partnerships.
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OFFICE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH
Sydney Medical School
T +61 2 9351 5993
F +61 2 9036 7124
sydney.edu.au/global-health
Sydney Medical
School
Produced by the Office for Global Health, the University of Sydney, January 2015.
The University reserves the right to make alterations to any information
contained within this publication without notice. 07/2014
ABN 15 211 513 464
CRICOS 00026A