In May, over 60 IMPH alumni from around the globe came together at the KCB Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, for the East Africa Regional IMPH Alumni Conference sponsored by Pears Foundation. The theme of the conference was Innovation in Public Health: Research, Practice, Policy, Training.
During the conference opening, they heard from esteemed guests from the Konza Technopolis, Kenya’s premier Global Technology and Innovation Hub; Prof RM Munavu, Chairman, Konza Technopolis Development Authority; Dr Tonny K Omwansa, Director, Kenya National Innovation Agency; the Israeli Ambassador to Kenya, the Honorable Michael Lotem; and from our very own IMPH alumna, Ambassador Dr Josephine Ojiambo.
Throughout the two and a half day event, the participants heard presentations from over 37 alumni and IMPH faculty presented their current research. There were also plenty of networking sessions for alumni to hear about each other’s work and to discuss potential collaborations and opportunities.
“I attended the IMPH Alumni Conference for the first time and it was such an honour to be there” said Prof Hagit Hochner, Director of the IMPH Program. “It was truly inspirational to see and hear about the work our alumni are doing around the globe. We were able to spend some time discussing future collaborations between the IMPH and other institutions, which would be spearheaded by alumni. I am really looking forward to continuing the conversation about setting up HUJI Research Centers in different parts of the globe. We are currently planning the first step of mapping available research infrastructure our alumni are involved in”.
“I am still feeling energised and inspired after having met so many alumni at the conference in Nairobi” said Shira Nanavati, IMPH Alumni Communications Coordinator. “I was completely blown away by the incredible alumni that have come out of the IMPH. I am excited about the engaging presentations and talks of collaborations that came out of the conference.
Over forty alumni chose to visit the Konza Technopolis, a key flagship project of Kenya’s Vision 2030 economic development portfolio, during the conference outing. Konza will be a world-class city, powered by a thriving information, communications and technology (ICT) sector, superior reliable infrastructure and business friendly governance systems.
The IMPH alumni group gathers in the KCB centre conference room for a group photo.