The American University of Nigeria (AUN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria, on Monday, August 19, 2024, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in combating the increasing public health challenges across the country. The MoU was signed in the Faculty Boardroom of the AUN School of Law where both leaders of the collaborating institutions, Dr. DeWayne Frazier, President of AUN, and Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative and Head of Mission for Nigeria exchanged pleasantries with enthusiasm to join forces in tackling health challenges through collaborative research, voluntary public health training and capacity building, and provision of physical infrastructure for the success of the goals.
Dr. Walter outlined the key objectives of the MOU, "the overarching themes of the MOU include, identification of areas of urgent public health challenge in Africa which will help in curriculum design to fit the local context and the global public health architecture, voluntary public health trainings and capacity building, specifically with regards to sustaining the Leadership program for health transformation in Africa, development of Public Health course based on WHO Technical Assistance, and provision of physical infrastructures for trainings and capacity building activities," he stated.
The partnership will further enhance global recognition as an integral part of healthcare education, especially in West Africa. Having the support of the WHO, President DeWayne Frazier, said, will assist the university in keeping its curriculum up to date and current with the emerging trends in the industry. "This partnership not only benefits our institution but also our students, who will gain more opportunities for internships and networking with global healthcare leaders. It's a testament to AUN's commitment to development and care for the people of the region and beyond," he concluded.
This win-win collaboration provides the ground for transformative programs and enhances sustainability.
Reported by John Abah