Building Global Bridges in Public Health
Signing of MOU with College of Public Health and Health Informatics at King Saudi bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Saudi Arabia
During the week of March 24, 2025, the University of Memphis School of Public Health had the distinct honor of welcoming Dr. Ashraf Elmetwally, Professor of Epidemiology from the College of Public Health and Health Informatics at King Saudi bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Saudi Arabia. His visit marked a significant milestone in the growing international collaboration between the two institutions.
A key highlight of the visit was the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Memphis School of Public Health and KSAU-HS. This MOU sets the foundation for a joint initiative: the creation of the Center for Population Health Interventions and Outcomes. This new center will serve as a hub for academic exchange, faculty development, and collaborative research. It also aims to foster student and community engagement efforts, strengthening public health efforts both in Memphis and Saudi Arabia.
Elmetwally met with several key leaders at the University of Memphis, including Dr. David Russomanno, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Jasbir Dhaliwal, Executive Vice President of Research & Innovation. Together, with School of Public Health leadership and faculty, they discussed the next steps for implementing the shared vision outlined in the MOU. Their discussions signaled strong institutional support for a truly global approach to public health.
This partnership represents an exciting step forward in addressing global health challenges through shared knowledge and cross-cultural collaboration. As the new center takes shape, both institutions look forward to the impactful outcomes that will emerge from this transnational alliance.
Pictured in photo (right to left) Dr. David Russomanno, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Ashraf Elmetwally, Professor of Epidemiology, CPHHI, KSAU-HS, and Dr. Ashish Joshi, SPH Dean and a Distinguished University Professor.
Pictured in photo Dr. Jasbir Dhaliwal, Executive Vice President of Research & innovation (center), Professor Ashraf Elmetwally, Professor of Epidemiology, CPHHI, KSAU-HS (on right), and Dr. Ashish Joshi, SPH Dean and a Distinguished University Professor (on left).