The meeting provided a high-level platform for strategic dialogue among senior academic leaders in public health at a time of significant global health transition.
The Side Meeting brought together Deans and senior representatives from Schools of Public Health across Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America. Its primary purpose was to examine the evolving global health landscape and to reflect on the responsibilities of academic institutions in advancing governance, equity, and evidence-informed policy and practice. The meeting was jointly organised by the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, the Vanke School of Public Health, the Institute of Global Health, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, reflecting strong cross-regional academic collaboration.
APACPH was represented by Dr. Elbert Chiou (President of both TAGHI and APACPH), Dr. Victor Hoe (Secretary-General of APACPH), Dr. Betty Chiu (Secretary-General of TAGHI and Vice-President 1 & Taiwan Regional Director of APACPH), and Dr. Sarawut Thepanondh (Thailand Regional Director of APACPH). Their engagement aligned closely with APACPH’s mission to strengthen public health education, research, and leadership across the Asia-Pacific region.
The programme featured contributions from prominent global public health leaders. Opening and scene-setting remarks were delivered by Professor Teo Yik Ying, Vice President (Global Health), National University of Singapore, and Dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, alongside Dr. Margaret Chan, Founding Dean of the Tsinghua Vanke School of Public Health and former Director-General of the World Health Organization.
Thematic discussions addressed:
- Strengthening academic-government partnerships to support public health governance;
- Improving access to high-quality and equitable public health curricula; and
- Tackling health misinformation and disinformation, facilitated by Dr. Karla Soares-Weiser, Chief Executive Officer of Cochrane.
The meeting concluded with discussion on next steps, including the potential establishment of a regular global forum for Deans of Public Health linked to platforms such as the World Health Assembly. APACPH’s extensive membership across the Asia-Pacific region positions it well to contribute meaningfully to such an initiative. Sustained dialogue of this nature can strengthen coordinated academic input into global public health agendas, particularly in areas of workforce development, policy engagement, and health equity.
APACPH acknowledges the organisers and facilitators for convening this important dialogue and all participating Deans and representatives for their valuable contributions.