BACKGROUND
The Indian Institute of Public Health-Bhubaneswar (IIPHB) was established in the year 2010 as one of the institutes of Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI). Since then, IIPHB has expanded its activities and offers on-campus programs, eLearning programs and short-term training programs; conducts policy relevant public health research; and undertakes advocacy in public health. IIPHB has a multi-disciplinary team of faculty members who have national and international collaborations and are engaged in a number of projects related to teaching, training, research and advocacy.
The public health system in India can be strengthened through the presence of well-trained and competent public health professionals. Qualified public health professionals are a necessity to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Such an interdisciplinary public health workforce can also advance the vision of Universal Health Care. The aim of our MPH program is to make public health education and research activities relevant to India in content and context, while attaining standards which are qualitatively comparable with the best in the world. The Indian Institute of Public Health-Bhubaneswar (IIPHB) is pleased to announce its call for applications for MPH for the academic year 2023 – 25, affiliated to Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
DEGREE AWARDING AND REGISTERING BODY
Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) in collaboration with Utkal University brings you this unique opportunity to further your career in the area of public health through the Master of Public Health (MPH) program. The degree will be awarded by the Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
The MPH program is an intensive two-year full time program focusing on enhancing skills and abilities of students in research, management, problem solving, and critical thinking in the area of public health. The first three semesters include classroom-based, face to face teaching, tutorials and practical (computer-lab and public health activities in community). The final semester includes internship cum project work (with dissertation). The student needs to successfully complete the coursework and the project work to be awarded the MPH degree.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- Prepare students in program organization and management, problem solving, and critical thinking in the public health domain.
- Prepare students to undertake public health research in institutional and field setting
- Prepare students to work in socially, culturally and economically diverse populations by being attentive to needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and well versed with existing health system
- Promote qualities of leadership and effective use of communication skills for health advocacy among students
- Prepare students for teaching /training posts in public health institutions
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND LANGUAGE
The program utilizes a variety of teaching/learning techniques, which include lectures using Audio- Visual aids, demonstrations, group discussions, and presentation by students. Hands-on practice in computer-based applications and statistical software using computers will be imparted in several courses. The main language of instruction would be English. During internship, the students will get an opportunity to engage in research related activities while working in a community set up, a public health research organization, a NGO, a hospital or a laboratory.
ELIGIBILITY
Bachelor degree holder of any Institute/University recognized by the UGC in any steams of medicine (eg., MBBS/BHMS/BAMS/BUMS etc) / Dentistry / Nursing / Pharmacy / Veterinary Sciences / Physiotherapy / Occupational therapy / or Allied Health Sciences.
or
Bachelor degree holder of any Institute/University recognized by the UGC in Life Sciences / Biotechnology / Statistics / Biostatistics / Management.
or
Bachelor degree holder of any Institute/University recognized by the UGC in Engineering / Demography / Population Studies / Nutrition / Sociology / Psychology / Anthropology / Social Work / Economics / Law.
or
Bachelor degree holder of any Institute/University recognized by the UGC in any equivalent discipline.
And having secured at least 50% marks for General and 45% marks for SC/ST candidates.
Students appearing in their final degree examination pending publication of results, can also make a provisional application, subject to meeting minimum eligibility requirements at the time of interview.
SELECTION PROCESS
All candidates should submit the application form for the Master of Public Health program in the prescribed format, which can be downloaded from PHFI website (http://www.phfi.org). The application consists of filled-in registration form, along with proof of academic credentials, work experience, contact details of two referees (academic and/ or professional) and a Statement of Purpose (SOP). The applicants will be short-listed based on their academic qualifications, relevant experience and Statement of Purpose. This will be followed by an interview. The selection of candidates will be conducted by a specially constituted screening committee. The final selection of the candidate for the MPH program is based on qualifications, relevant experience, statement of purpose and interview. The weightage for each component are as follows:
Qualification – 20%
Relevant work experience – 10%
State of purpose – 10%
Interview – 60%
Reservation of seats for admission will be done as per government of Odisha policy.
PROGRAM CONTENTS
The multi-disciplinary curriculum includes core and elective courses. The core subjects of study would include: Introduction to Public Health, Basics in Epidemiology, Basics in Biostatistics, Demography, Social and Behavioral Sciences in Health, Health Systems, Health Policy, Public Health Programs, Health Management, Health Economics & Financing, Research Methods, Public Health Nutrition, Communicable Diseases, Non-communicable Diseases, Environmental and Occupational Health, Scientific Writing, Proposal and Protocol development, and Report Writing. Some of the possible elective tracks would be from amongst a range of subjects, such as, Disaster Preparedness & Management, Advanced Epidemiology, Implementation Sciences, Health Economics & Financing, Gender, Health Systems, Nutrition, and Health Management.
At the end of this program, the following core competencies will be acquired by the candidates:
- Apply contemporary ideas to influence program organization and management, problem solving and critical thinking in public health domain
- Undertake operational research in institutional and field settings
- Work in socially, culturally and economically diverse populations by being attentive to needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and be well versed with existing health systems
- Demonstrate qualities of leadership and mentorship
- Be an effective member of a multidisciplinary health team
- Demonstrate ethics and accountability at all levels (professional, personal and social)
- Practice professional excellence, scientific attitude and scholarship
- Exhibit and uphold an attitude of openness to learning
FACULTY
A team of experienced and multidisciplinary faculty from IIPHB, PHFI and visiting faculty would be engaged in teaching. The students will also be exposed to lectures delivered by invited faculty and a pool of adjunct faculty with PHFI of national and international acclaim. Guides will be identified from both the organizations for mentoring during internship and project work (with dissertation).
CREDIT AND EVALUATION SYSTEM
The students will be evaluated by continuous evaluation and written examination for all the courses (core and elective). Towards the end of the final semester the student will need to submit the thesis which will be evaluated independently. While the continuous evaluation is conducted during and at the end the course, the exam for all the courses under each semester will be held at the end of the semester, as per the Utkal University rules. The weighted average of continuous evaluation and examination will contribute to the course GPA. The program will follow a credit system consistent with Utkal University norms.
PROGRAM FEES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
The fee structure for Master of Public Health program for the candidates admitted in the year 2021- 23 is as follows:
For Indian and South Asian Nationals
Tuition Fee: The annual tuition fee for the students admitted for the academic session 2021-23 is Rs 2,00,000/- (two lakhs only) per student per academic year. The total tuition fee for the two year program is Rs. 4,00,000/- (four lakhs only), which includes Rs. 10,000/- admission fees and Rs. 10,000/- examination fees).
For International Candidates
Tuition Fee: The annual tuition fee for the students admitted for the academic session 2021-23 is USD 5,600 per student per academic year.
Scholarships
Limited number of scholarships for MPH may be awarded for deserving and meritorious candidates, subject to availability of funds.
PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The internship and the dissertation during the MPH program would provide the candidates with an opportunity to interact with potential employers. The central placement cell supports the placement process by identifying relevant career opportunities for those who are seeking placement assistance. However, no formal guarantee would be provided to any candidate regarding future job selection after completion of the program.
ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH FOUNDATION OF INDIA (PHFI)
Established by Government of India in 2006, PHFI is an autonomously governed organization that collaboratively evolved through consultations with multiple constituencies, including Indian and international academia, state and central governments, multi- and bi-lateral agencies, and civil society groups. PHFI aims to address the limited institutional capacity in India for training, research, and policy development in the area of public health through establishment of Indian Institutes of Public Health across the country.
The Indian Institute of Public Health – Bhubaneswar was established in 2010 through a joint MOU between government of Odisha and PHFI, Delhi. Since then IIPHB has been offering education, training, research, advocacy and technical assistance to government of Odisha and other Eastern region states. It is one of the five IIPHs established so far under PHFI. IIPHB is actively involved in conducting academic programs, both on-campus and eLearning. Apart from Master of Public Health, it also offers Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health Management (PGDPHM).
UNIQUENESS OF THE MPH PROGRAM
This public health program is a blend of basic and advanced principles of public health and their application in health sector. This program delivered by PHFI – IIPH Bhubaneswar, in affiliation with Utkal University, that aims to deliver a wide range subjects in key areas of public health, linking public health theory with public health practice. The programme would emphasize on problem solving, case based learning, innovative pedagogy and transformative learning. Successful completion of MPH may serve as an excellent foundation to purpose higher specialized degrees like PhD in India and abroad.