Manchester graduate from Nigeria hoping to improve health of her fellow citizens
15 Dec 2016
A Nigerian public health professional has graduated from a world-leading Manchester course, and she now hopes to use her skills to improve the health of young people in her home country
Ogochukwu Okoye, a physician and lecturer at Delta State University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria, took the University’s online Master of Public Health course, and wrote her dissertation about the risk of chronic kidney disease in young Nigerians exposed to crude oil - a major concern in the country, as the oil industry has left areas of the Niger Delta heavily polluted.
She now hopes to apply for a grant that will enable her to carry out this research in reality, with the intention of influencing Government policy, improving the local population’s health and instigating a clean-up of the environment.
The University’s Master of Public Health course offers an innovative training approach for public health professionals, or those interested in a career in the area. It equips students with the skills and knowledge to apply to public health concerns at local, national and international level, and the ability to apply theory and scientific principles to practical situations.
The course can be studied entirely online, and most students spread the programme over 3-5 years, remaining in their own country and in employment. Participants come from over 40 countries worldwide, including many in Africa.
“I registered for this course to improve myself in areas of medicine that are key for a wholesome practice. The team at Manchester exposed me to a highly effective manner of teaching, thus made learning worthwhile,” said Ogochukwu. “The skills and knowledge that I have acquired are already impacting on my professional and personal development. I am definitely a better teacher, doctor and researcher as a result!”
“Our programme teaches students to develop a critical evidence-based approach to the discipline of public health.” said Isla Gemmell, a senior lecturer on The University of Manchester’s Master of Public Health Programme.
“Throughout her studies, Ogochuckwu demonstrated a great deal of self-motivation and willingness to learn. She is in a unique position to make a real difference to the health of the population in Nigeria through her research and her teaching.”
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