Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), India hosted the
International Advisory Board of the Global Health program on 15 th and 16 th April 2023 followed by
the Global Health Symposium.
The board met under the aegis of MAHE and the occasion was graced on 15 th April 2023 by Lt Gen
(Dr) MD Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao K, Pro Vice Chancellor- Health Sciences,
Dr Giridhar Kini P, Registrar, Dr. Karunakar Kotegar, Director – International Relations and, Dr.
Helmut Brand, Director – Prasanna School of Public Health. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Thijs
Teeling, Director, Covalence, with representation from seven partner universities, including Canada,
Netherlands, Norway, Colombia, Thailand, India and Sudan.
Dr. Thijs Teeling presided over the meeting and stated: “I am very happy to be in Manipal and
grateful to MAHE for hosting the board and students for the symposium. I am impressed by the
preparation and coordination of the events and am looking forward to meeting the students at the
Symposium. To this point, the meeting has been a great success.”
Video greetings to the board and MAHE leadership were presented from the President of Maastricht
University, Prof. Dr. Rianne Letschert and the Dean and Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences,
McMaster University, Prof. Dr. Paul M. O’Byrne. The Global Health International Consortium
website and logo were presented by Dr. Agnes Meershoek from Maastricht University which was
applauded as a step in the right direction.
Lt. Gen. (Dr) MD Venkatesh, the Vice Chancellor of MAHE stated: ‘Global health is of paramount
importance and is in accordance with the vision of the founder, Dr. TMA Pai who had worked
towards the provision of quality healthcare, education and development.” He also emphasized that
the deliberations of the Advisory Board and the development of a website dedicated to the
Consortium for Global Health were in line with the theme of India's G20 Presidency – “Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam” or “One Earth. One Family. One Future.”
During the meeting, the guest speaker was Maj. Gen. (Dr. Prof.) Atul Kotwal SM, VSM (Retd).,
Executive Director, National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and he provided comprehensive insights on the topic of ‘Global
Health Leadership and Partnerships in Health System Strengthening Efforts’ emphasizing the
example of India’s efforts towards equity with impacts on the local and global platforms.
Following the Advisory Board Meeting, the annual Global Health Symposium will take place between
16th-28th April, 2023 bringing together over 300 students and 37 faculty from partner institutions.
By 
ForthFocus™