SPPH signs Statement of Cooperation with Baba Farid University of Health Sciences

(l to r): Ms. Daniella Weber (International Manager, UBC Faculty of Medicine); Dr. Karen Bartlett (Professor, SPPH, and Director, MSc OEH); Mr. Barj Dahan (Baba Farid Special Advisor, International Relations); Dr. Hugh Davies (Associate Professor, SPPH); Prof. Rajeev Manhas (Baba Farid International Coordinator, Head, Life Sciences, Library and Information Service); Ms. Charanjit Kaur (Faridkot College); and Mr, HCL Rawat (Vice Principal, Faridkot College).

Recognizing opportunities for strengthening both research and training for both parties, SPPH’s OEH Division has signed a statement of cooperation with the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) in Faridkot, India, to ‘promote the field of occupational and environmental health.’

BFUHS is the primary medical training institution in the state of Punjab. Opened in 1998, it serves over 40,000 students in undergraduate, graduate and diploma courses through over 140 colleges. Baba Farid University has existing relationships with both the UBC School of Nursing and IC-Impacts (the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability).

Representatives from the SPPH’s OEH Division and BFUHS signed the Statement of Cooperation at a recent meeting at UBC, where the two groups discussed common areas of research interest, such as air pollution and pesticide exposure. They also outlined topics for future discussion, including curriculum development and student exchange.

“Occupational health remains an underserved area everywhere in the world. We can share our 20 plus years of experience in developing a world-class OEH training and research program, while at the same time benefit from new research collaborations and new learning opportunities for our research and industry co-op students,” said Dr. Hugh Davies, Associate Professor, School of Population and Public Health.