The UBC School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) has been awarded $494,500 CAD from the Government of Canada to advance research, education, and other collaborative partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region.
Advancing Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
Announced as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent visit to India, the Indo-Pacific Scholarships and Fellowships for Canadians (IPSFC) initiative supports Canada’s broader Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) by strengthening educational and applied research collaborations as well as people-to-people ties in a region of growing global significance.
The IPSFC funding will extend SPPH partnerships in India, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Nepal, enabling students and fellows to work alongside regional partners on pressing global and public health priorities.
“We are grateful to the Government of Canada for this investment in strengthening UBC’s global health partnerships across the Indo-Pacific,” said Dr. Sharmila Anandasabapathy, Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Vice-President, Health, UBC. “Strong partnerships are the foundation of progress in global health. With this support, UBC will deepen collaboration with colleagues across the Indo-Pacific region and expand opportunities for students and researchers to learn, exchange knowledge and advance solutions to the shared health challenges we face here at home and abroad.”
At the institutional level, the award builds on UBC’s expanding engagement in South Asia, in addition to the recent launch of UBC’s South Asia Hub and strengthened partnerships in India. Together, these initiatives advance UBC’s Strategic Directions 2025-2030, particularly ‘Partner for Purpose, while also strengthening Canada’s role as a global health leader, aligning with recent national calls to protect our collective future.
Strengthening Research and Education Partnerships
The funding will support SPPH graduate students, fellows, and researchers in undertaking immersive learning and research experiences with partner institutions. Activities may include collaborative research projects, pedagogical innovation, knowledge exchange, and joint capacity-building initiatives.
Dr. Aslam Anis, Professor and Director, School of Population and Public Health, welcomed the announcement:
“This investment strengthens our long-standing partnerships across the Indo-Pacific and creates meaningful opportunities for our students and researchers to collaborate on urgent global health challenges. By working alongside our regional partners, we are advancing solutions that are locally grounded, globally informed, and mutually beneficial.”
These opportunities will focus on shared global and public health priorities aligned with the Indo-Pacific Strategy, including:
- Climate change
- Sustainable development
- Natural resources management
- Applied scientific cooperation
- National and regional security
These interconnected areas reflect common priorities between Canada and Indo-Pacific partners and recognize the links between health, environmental sustainability, and development.
Partner organizations across the region will play an active role in shaping activities and opportunities alongside SPPH and award recipients. This collaborative approach ensures that engagements are mutually beneficial, responsive to local contexts and priorities, and contribute to long-term relationship building.
Supporting Emerging Global Health Leaders
The funding complements SPPH’s recently launched Master of Global Health (MGH) program, the only standalone professional global health program in western Canada, and other training pathways that emphasize applied learning and global engagement. The IPSFC will enhance experiential learning opportunities and provide additional structured pathways for student mobility and international collaboration aligned with IPS objectives.
Dr. Khumbo Kalua, Associate Professor and Program Director, Global Health, emphasized the importance of the funding for MGH students:
“This is an exciting step forward for the School’s new Master of Global Health program. By extending partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, we’ll be helping our students learn with regional colleagues and grow into collaborative, equity-driven global health leaders.”
Looking ahead
This initiative reflects the School’s commitment to preparing the next generation of global health leaders – professionals who can operate effectively across diverse cultural, political, and ecological contexts to address shared global health challenges.
Further details regarding implementation, eligibility, timelines, and partner collaboration will be announced as planning progresses in consultation with institutional and federal stakeholders.
Acknowledgements
SPPH would like to thank the UBC Office of Global Engagement and Indo-Pacific partners for their support during the development of this project.