At Public Health U (PHU), we believe in equipping passionate public health professionals with the tools they need to lead meaningful change in communities around the world. In April 2023, we proudly launched our Ph.D. in Global Health program, an advanced, fully online doctoral program designed to build global leadership and research capacity in public health. These students bring a rich mix of experience, passion, and purpose, united by a shared commitment to health equity and social justice.
We are excited to share the voices of three of our current Ph.D. students—Sulaiman F. Mansaray, Prabin Shrestha, and Tibanyendera Deogratias—who took the time to reflect on their journeys in public health, their experiences at PHU, and what motivates them to pursue this Ph.D. in Global Health. Here are the questions we posed to them:
Question 1: Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in public health?
“I began my career in community health and social work, working directly with families affected by HIV/AIDS, especially children orphaned by the epidemic in Uganda and later in Mozambique. Seeing firsthand how social factors shape health, as well as social and economic outcomes, inspired me to pursue a career in public health. Over the years, I have worked in humanitarian settings across Africa and Asia, focusing on child protection and health systems, including with refugees in Namibia, Senegal, Burundi, Rwanda, and Thailand. These experiences deepened my commitment to promoting equity in health access and outcomes. Public health, for me, is not just a profession; it's a mission to serve the most vulnerable.”
Tibanyendera Deogratias
PHU Ph.D. Student
“I have a bachelor’s degree in public health, after which I received my Masters in Public Health from Peoples Uni [now Public Health U] in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University. Health has always been a subject of my interests, as it covers all aspects of prevention and promotion, and the scope of health is broad, from disease prevention to epidemiology, from NCDs to mental health, and from health policy to health economics. Public health encompasses a wider scope, which inspired me to pursue a career in public health.”
Prabin Shrestha
PHU Ph.D. Student
“I am a Laboratory Scientist with over eight years of progressive experience in infectious disease diagnostics, health systems strengthening, healthcare management, laboratory systems development, capacity building, and sexual and reproductive health. Between 2014 and 2015, the devastating Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone claimed thousands of lives, and I personally lost 14 beloved family members, including my father, whom I loved deeply and still cherish in memory. I became determined to gain expertise in epidemiology, disease surveillance, biostatistics, and health advocacy, critical skills that have long been underdeveloped in my country’s healthcare sector. Since then, I have remained deeply passionate about acquiring the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to make informed, evidence-based decisions and to serve my country during outbreaks through targeted health promotion and effective programme management.”
Sulaiman F. Mansaray
PHU Ph.D. Student
Question 2: What motivated you to pursue a Ph.D. in Global Health?
“I wanted to expand my ability to influence health systems and policy at a higher level. With over 20 years in the field, I realized that practice must be supported by research and evidence to create lasting change. A Ph.D. in Global Health equips me with the tools to advocate effectively for community-level solutions. I am especially motivated to address maternal and child health through data-driven approaches.”
Tibanyendera Deogratias
PHU Ph.D. Student
“My motivation to pursue a Ph.D. in Global Health comes from my experience working in public health in Nepal, where various public health problems still exist. Addressing these issues requires policy-driven solutions through research, and through my doctoral studies, I aim to contribute to global health initiatives to enhance equitable healthcare access to improve health systems in low-resource settings.”
Prabin Shrestha
PHU Ph.D. Student
“My motivation to pursue a Ph.D. in Global Health stems from my strong desire to contribute more effectively to global and local health challenges, building on my academic qualifications (BSc and MPH) and extensive field experience. This Ph.D. offers me the opportunity to deepen my health knowledge, critically analyse complex global health data, and translate those insights into impactful policy and practice. Coming from Sierra Leone, a low- and middle-income country (LMIC) where advanced global health expertise is limited, I feel a responsibility to help bridge that gap.”
Sulaiman F. Mansaray
PHU Ph.D. Student
Question 3: How has your experience with Public Health U been so far—any highlights you’d like to share?
“PHU has been both enriching and empowering. The program is intellectually rigorous while remaining flexible enough for professionals working in the field. I’ve particularly appreciated the global classroom environment, which brings diverse insights into public health challenges. The mentorship and academic support have been outstanding.”
Tibanyendera Deogratias
PHU Ph.D. Student
“My experiences with PHU have been brilliant. I am happy to be part of the diverse team and to be learning from each one of the team members. Getting varied perspectives and getting to know the different contexts and the reflections of these variations in the teaching-learning process has been insightful.”
Prabin Shrestha
PHU Ph.D. Student
“My experience over the past two years with PHU has been enriching, motivating, and transformative. I have learned that with focus and determination, financial limitations should not prevent one from accessing quality education and improving public health outcomes. I now address complex health issues with confidence, maintain high academic standards, and apply strong referencing and research skills. The PHU model, blending reading materials, flashcards, quizzes, module summaries, microlearning, and discussion forums/learning activities, has deepened my understanding and strengthened my research and scholarly writing skills.”
Sulaiman F. Mansaray
PHU Ph.D. Student
Question 4: How do you hope this Ph.D. program will support your long-term career or community goals?
“This Ph.D. will enhance my ability to influence health policy and improve service delivery for vulnerable populations, especially women and children. The program equips me with the knowledge to drive inclusive, equitable, and sustainable change. It aligns with my goal to bridge the gap between policy and grassroots health needs. Ultimately, it will help me amplify community voices in national and global health strategies.”
Tibanyendera Deogratias
PHU Ph.D. Student
“I am confident that this Ph.D. program will equip me with necessary knowledge and skills to drive meaningful changes in the health system and improve the health system in my setting. Through my studies, I aim to specialize in community-based interventions that address systemic health disparities, particularly in low-resource settings like Nepal. Being involved in the Ph.D. program, I also feel that this program will prepare me to generate evidence through research and studies to effectively translate them into policy and practice to improve the health status of the community.”
Prabin Shrestha
PHU Ph.D. Student
“This program will equip me to become a highly competent Global Health Specialist, capable of strengthening infectious disease response, advocacy, and policy formulation in Sierra Leone and other LMICs. It will also sharpen my research and academic writing skills so I can conduct impactful research and publish high-quality manuscripts. I plan to leverage modern technologies like AI and health information systems to stay up to date with global best practices.”
Sulaiman F. Mansaray
PHU Ph.D. Student
Question 5: Can you tell us about a public health issue you are passionate about addressing?
“I am passionate about improving maternal and newborn health at the community level. Many preventable deaths occur due to weak primary health care systems and limited access to skilled care. I believe in promoting antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal follow-up as critical interventions. My focus is on strengthening community-based health programs that empower both health workers and families.”
Tibanyendera Deogratias
PHU Ph.D. Student
“I am particularly interested in the issue of integrating mental health into the Tuberculosis (TB) program in Nepal. TB is a major public health problem in Nepal and is also associated with various psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, and emotional distress due to associated stigma, longer duration of treatment, and social isolation. Integrating mental health into TB programmes, such as screening for mental problems, counseling, and psychosocial support, can improve patients’ outcomes, reduce treatment dropout, enhance treatment recovery, improve adherence to treatment, and deliver patient-centered care, which would also contribute to universal health coverage.”
Prabin Shrestha
PHU Ph.D. Student
“I have developed a strong passion for advocating increased investment in hepatitis prevention and control in Sierra Leone. Many young Sierra Leoneans have died due to liver complications caused by hepatitis B, C, and D. My ambition is to expand hepatitis prevention and treatment services nationwide, using the project management skills and policy expertise gained from this Ph.D. to drive evidence-based policies and secure funding for comprehensive disease control.”
Sulaiman F. Mansaray
PHU Ph.D. Student
Question 6: Is there anything you’d like others to know about studying public health in a global, online program like PHU’s?
“PHU offers a flexible and globally relevant learning environment that allows professionals to continue making an impact while advancing their education. Engaging with peers from different regions brings fresh insights and fosters cross-cultural collaboration. The academic support and mentorship are responsive and empowering. Studying online at PHU is not only convenient, it’s transformative.”
Tibanyendera Deogratias
PHU Ph.D. Student
“Studying public health in a global online program such as PHU is a great learning opportunity for students, especially from low- and middle-income countries. Due to the diversity of participants and faculties, it provides a global perspective from different countries related to health issues as well as insights from various contexts. The modalities used are reading materials, discussions, assignments, and online quizzes, which promote interdisciplinary learning.”
Prabin Shrestha
PHU Ph.D. Student
“If you have a laptop, reliable internet, and a source of income to support your living expenses, you do not need to leave your job to further your public health education. PHU offers a flexible, world-class, and highly interactive platform that allows you to learn at your own pace whilst gaining skills that meet international standards. This affordable educational model is ideal for professionals who want to upgrade their expertise without interrupting their careers. For anyone passionate about making a real impact in public health, PHU provides the right tools, resources, and supportive community to excel.”
Sulaiman F. Mansaray
PHU Ph.D. Student
Looking Ahead: Join Our Next Cohort
These three students have generously shared their stories, but they represent just a few of the many inspiring voices within our Ph.D. in Global Health program. At Public Health U, we bring together like-minded individuals from around the world who share a deep passion for public health and a commitment to making a difference. As our students continue their academic and professional journeys, we are proud to stand alongside them, supporting their growth, amplifying their voices, and championing their efforts to tackle some of the world’s most pressing public health challenges. We invite you to stay connected for more inspiring student spotlights and updates from PHU and look forward to supporting a new generation of leaders committed to advancing health equity around the world.
Reisha Narine
Author
