School of Public Health Institutes Alumni, Staff Engagement to Strengthen Collaboration and Support School’s Growth
The School of Public Health (SPH), has instituted an Alumni and Staff Engagement programme to strengthen collaboration and mobilise support for the School’s academic, research and infrastructural development.
Held under the theme “Strengthening Bonds, Celebrating Impact, Shaping the Future of Public Health,” the engagement was designed to formalise alumni relations, promote sustained interaction between alumni and staff and create avenues for mentoring, networking and resource mobilisation. The initiative has become necessary in response to the evolving public health landscape, which demands continuous professional development, strong partnerships and active alumni involvement in shaping teaching, learning and research.
Addressing participants at the event, Dean of the School, Prof. Kwasi Torpey, said such platforms create opportunities for current students to benefit from mentoring, motivation and professional guidance from alumni, noting that sustained engagement is critical to addressing emerging public health challenges.
Prof. Torpey announced that the School has reintroduced the Bachelor’s programme in Public Health and is expanding student intake through targeted improvements in infrastructure, supported through internally generated funds. He further indicated that the School has refocused its efforts on research to strengthen teaching and learning, citing ongoing initiatives such as the establishment of a baby lounge and the introduction of smart classrooms.
Acknowledging that more support is required to sustain these developments, the Dean called on alumni to invest in legacy projects for the School and encouraged them to return to contribute to academic activities, including seminars, teaching and student supervision.
The engagement brought together alumni, staff, students and management of the School, including Heads of Department from Population, Family and Reproductive Health; Biostatistics; Epidemiology and Disease Control; Health Policy, Planning and Management; Social and Behavioural Sciences and Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.
Several alumni, including graduates from the 1990s and more recent years, shared reflections on their time at the School and their experiences in public health practice. One alumna recounted switching from Pharmacy to Public Health and spending over 22 years working with USAID, highlighting the continued importance of research in her professional work and the contribution of SPH to her career.
A 2021 graduate of the School, Mr. Edmund Agbeve of Curious Minds, MPH (SOBS), said that although he studied during the COVID-19 period, he was still able to enjoy and benefit fully from the programme.
A special segment of the programme was dedicated to recognising retired and transferred staff for their contributions to the growth of the School. Honourees included Mr. James Rhule, Mr. Samuel Aaabeterfaa Sorokuu, Mr. John Katia, Ms. Dillis Adu-Harrison, Ms. Nancy Yayra Ocansey, Mr. Christian Botwe, Mr. Emmanuel Ayetey Appiah, Mr. Harrison Oyie, Mr. Joseph Aidoo and Prof. Francis Anto, who each received a token of appreciation.
The engagement reaffirmed the role of alumni involvement in supporting the School’s growth and advancing public health education and research at the University of Ghana.