Thursday, 08 July 2021
The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) will be giving a virtual guest lecture at the University of Nottingham on Friday 9 July.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is also an Alumnus and Honorary Professor at the University, will lead a lecture and discussion as part of the University’s celebrations marking 50 years of Medicine and 30 years of Nursing.
Covid-19 has impacted everyone on the planet, shining a spotlight on the importance of public health and emphasising the need for strong health systems so that communities can better prepare and respond to any future crises.
As head of the UN’s public health organisation, Dr Tedros has played a prominent role leading the global response to Covid-19 during the past 18 months, while continuing to drive action on a range of health issues from measles and malaria to diabetes and tobacco control.
During the lecture and discussion, Dr Tedros will share experiences and advice with students, staff, alumni and members of the public, on how they and the University can take an active role in protecting the world from pandemics.
I have many fond memories from my time at the University of Nottingham and am honoured to contribute to these anniversary celebrations,” said Dr Tedros. “As nations across the globe face the greatest threat to public health in a generation, I hope to inspire students, staff and alumni to share in WHO’s vision of a healthier, fairer and more sustainable world.”
Dr Tedros has had a distinguished career in public health and international affairs, spanning more than 30 years. He is the first WHO Director General to have been elected by the World Health Assembly and the first person from the Africa Region to serve as WHO’s head. Since taking office in 2017, Dr Tedros has outlined key priorities including universal health coverage, health emergencies, and health impacts of climate and environmental change.
Prior to his role at WHO, Dr Tedros served as Ethiopia’s Minister of Health from 2005 – 2012 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 – 2016. He has also held many leadership positions in global health, including Chair of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Chair of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, and Co-chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Board.
Professor John Atherton, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University, said: “It is great to welcome Dr Tedros back once again to deliver a talk and answer questions from the University community. He is an inspiring figure and staff, students and the wider community are privileged to have the opportunity share his insights on world health.”
More information on how to register for the event can be found here.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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