Developing skilled future leaders in strengthening health and social systems

The McMaster Health Forum is pleased to announce the first three awardees of our Developing Skilled Future Leaders in Strengthening Health and Social Systems project: Mahnoor Malik, Jaclyn Holdsworth and Miray Maher.

Mahnoor travelled to South Africa in early June to work at the Africa Centre for Evidence (ACE) at the University of Johannesburg. She is currently working on a project that aims to compile the different methodologies that can be used for evidence synthesis, and how to apply these methods. Through this experience, Mahnoor hopes to understand the importance of evidence synthesis in informing system level policy changes.

Jaclyn and Miray have recently travelled to work with the Caribbean Centre for Health Systems Research and Development (CCHSRD) in Trinidad and Tobago. Through this experience, Jaclyn hopes to build new skills and connection while Miray hopes to nurture her cultural competency, develop a global skillset, and learn about the healthcare systems within the Caribbean.

Funded by Global Skills Opportunity, part of Canada’s International Education Strategy, this multi-year project aims to diversify the destination countries typically made available to students and are geared towards students who have been typically under-represented in international study/work programs. Over the next four years, the Forum will facilitate meaningful international experiences through this opportunity for 40 undergraduate students by integrating them into projects focused on real-world initiatives.

Students will gain a foundation of knowledge by working alongside senior scientific staff to support the Forum’s programs, which use the best-available research evidence to generate action on the pressing health- and social- system issues of our time. Participants will then apply this foundational knowledge by working with one of McMaster’s international research partners through an internship or applied research position in a health and medical research institute, government ministry or research organization setting.

To stay connected with our Global Skills Opportunity awardees, follow @McMasterForum on Twitter.

Read more about the Global Skills Opportunity program offered by the Forum.