Building Global Bridges: Journey to Germany’s Hochschule Bielefeld
Part 1
In May 2024, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health (SPH) attended Hochschule Bielefeld University of Applied Science and Arts (HSBI) International Week, marking a significant milestone in global academic collaboration. For five years, HSBI’s International Week has been a dynamic gathering of scholars, researchers, and educators, creating a platform for knowledge exchange, teaching innovation, and collaborative partnerships. More than 130 participants from five continents attended the conference, making it the largest gathering in the event’s seven-year history. This year, UIC SPH faculty members Dr. Naoko Muramatsu, Dr. Michele McCay, and Dr. Fanta Waterman joined colleagues from over 30 countries in this cross-disciplinary event, sharing ideas on healthcare, education, and public health systems, while forging new networks that promise to shape the future of global health education.
The Power of Global Collaboration
HSBI’s International Week fosters international scientific relations, enriches teaching curricula, and creates opportunities for innovative research. The event attracts faculty and researchers from diverse fields, including health, social sciences, business, engineering, and the arts. For UIC’s delegation, this was a chance to interact with global experts in applied sciences and technology, learning firsthand about HSBI’s innovative educational models and cutting-edge research, including demonstrations of artificial intelligence in healthcare and a tour of the university’s nursing skills lab. It also offered an opportunity to expand UIC’s global footprint by contributing to the growing momentum of international research and educational exchange at the university. “This was an incredible opportunity to explore known and unknown areas of synergy around teaching and research activities at our respective universities,” shared Dr. Michele McCay, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Policy & Administration. “From discussions around healthcare systems, maternal and child health issues to experiential learning for students, HSBI and UIC SPH faculty have several connection points that lend themselves to meaningful collaboration in the very near future.”
Strengthening Educational and Research Ties
One of the highlights of the trip was a strategy meeting centered around Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), a pedagogical approach that enables students from different countries to address real-world problems together online. With SPH’s Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program already attracting students from across the globe, COIL presents an exciting example of how to expand practice-based, policy-based and global health focused activities and partnerships. Additionally, continued intentional discussions between UIC and HSBI about course offerings and research will support the cultivation of traditional and innovative ways for faculty and students to work together. In addition to exploring COIL, the delegation attended a series of workshops and presentations on cultural dialogue and knowledge sharing. At these sessions, faculty from HSBI and UIC explored areas of common interest, such as global health, healthcare policy, and health disparities. For Dr. Fanta Waterman, Clinical Assistant Professor in the DrPH program, the visit underscored the importance of addressing “similar challenges in our communities related to public health and medical care access.”
Part 2
A Foundation for the Future
The impact of the trip extends beyond the individual connections and experiences gained by the UIC delegation. The discussions and partnerships formed during International Week will strengthen SPH’s global health initiatives and the growing collaborative teaching and learning activities of the DrPH Program, Divisions of Health Policy & Administration, and Community Health Sciences. The potential for crossinstitutional guest lectures, collective research projects, and global health-based experiential learning programs is substantial. As UIC continues to build on its global health education efforts, the connection with HSBI is poised to serve as a model for future international partnerships. Importantly, these networks End of a day of collaborative workshops on “Health inequities across the life course, social work practices in health” featuring Dr. Fanta Waterman (CHS & DrPH); and Dr. Naoko Muramatsu (CHS); and Dr. Michele McCay (HPA & DrPH). not only support SPH’s vision and values, but also align with UIC Chancellor Dr. Marie Lynn Miranda’s priorities, particularly in enhancing research infrastructure and fostering faculty and student engagement on a global scale. “It was amazing to meet researchers who share my research and educational missions,” expressed Dr. Naoko Muramatsu, Professor in the Division of Community Health Sciences. “It was a great example of how international collaboration can develop organically.” The relationship between UIC and HSBI promises to deepen, creating meaningful opportunities for students and faculty to work together in addressing the complex, cross-discipline health challenges of the 21st century.