Technical cooperation agreement launched between the Virtual Campus and the National University of the South, Argentina

Panama, August 14, 2024 (PAHO) — The Virtual Campus for Public Health (VCPH) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has announced a new technical cooperation agreement with the National University of the South (UNS) in Bahía Blanca, Argentina. This three-year agreement aims to strengthen health education through the use of technology, focusing on collaborative learning, competency-based education, and the impact of virtual learning on adults. Additionally, it includes the creation of a bibliographic repository and the dissemination of relevant research through digital media. 

Gabriel Listovsky, Chief of the Virtual Public Health Campus Special Program, underscored the significance of this collaboration, stating that "the Virtual Campus has been a cornerstone of distance education in public health across the Americas. This agreement not only reinforces our strategic alliances but also paves the way for new opportunities to innovate in the training of health professionals throughout the region." 

During the meeting, successful experiences were reviewed, and plans were made for future seminars and impact evaluations of the agreement. Additionally, key aspects of the collaboration were addressed, including the promotion of technology-mediated education and cooperation with partner institutions. 

Among other initiatives, the agreement will provide bibliographic updates on virtual education, establish a repository on the Virtual Campus, and facilitate discussion forums. Additionally, it will promote the dissemination of relevant research in health education through digital media, thereby supporting the publication of studies in PAHO’s Pan American Journal of Public Health. 

The agreement was developed in collaboration with the PAHO/WHO Representation in Argentina. On behalf of the PAHO office, Cecilia Marzoa, Specialist in Program and Partnership Management, remarked: "Technical cooperation is crucial for advancing public health education in the region. These strategic alliances have significantly impacted the training of health professionals both within the country and across the region, and we remain committed to supporting this endeavor." 

The Center for Studies in Education of Health Professionals at UNS expressed their appreciation for the agreement, underscoring its importance in advancing technology-mediated education and generating evidence for informed educational decision-making. Additionally, they highlighted PAHO's role as a pivotal contributor to the development of the UNS’s medical career program in the 1990s, noting that this mentorship and guidance have been sustained over the years and are now further strengthened by this new agreement. 

In conclusion, Gabriel Listovsky wrapped up the meeting by highlighting the collaborative efforts with institutions such as the University Institute of the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires (HIBA), Joaquim Venancio Polytechnic School of Public Health (EPSJV), the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) both located in Brazil, and the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) in the United States. He announced an upcoming webinar to present the results of joint research and invited participants to review the indicators and organize future meetings to assess the progress of the agreement. 

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