Melbourne University, PHFI to work towards tackling global health challenges

NEW DELHI: The University of Melbourne and the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) have signed an agreement to continue the long-standing partnership in the health sector.

The agreement was signed by Melbourne University’s provost Nicola Phillips, who led a delegation during his visit to India. From PHFI, its president Sanjay Sanjay Zodpey signed the agreement.

CEO of the Australia India Institute Lisa Singh was also present on the occasion. Phillips said the new agreement demonstrates a commitment to the relationship between the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University and the Nossal Institute, and the PHFI.

First agreement in 2009

The two institutes had signed an agreement for the first time in 2009. Then in 2017, a student exchange agreement was signed in 2017. Now, the institutes have renewed both the agreements. “The new agreement will strengthen our relationship and continue to grow our global community of scholars and partners,” Professor Phillips said.

The two institutions have worked closely together since the establishment of PHFI towards addressing global and complex challenges in health sector, and sharing expertise and experiences to advance health outcomes in India and beyond, he added.

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As part of the recent agreement, the inaugural Indo-pacific Global Health Competition was held on September 18. It was hosted by the University of Melbourne and three teams entered virtually from the PHFI. Phillips presented the prizes in Melbourne and met the PHFI teams in person during the signing of the MoU.

During the long partnership, the institute has created the VirtuCare (virtual healthcare network) project. It is also working toward tobacco control and plain packaging in India. The institutes have also developed a joint leadership programme funded by an Australian government grant for training in the public health sector in south Asia. These also provide the excellence in non-communicable disease research (ENCORE) programme, under which several students and faculty have been trained in India and Australia.