1. Network of Schools & Programs of Population and Public Health, Canada
Reporting: Catherine Donovan
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Chair: Andy Papadopoulos, University of Guelph,
Secretariat: Greg Penny, CPHA,

2. History Informal meetings since 2008
Meeting in 2010 to discuss accreditation
Formal meeting, 2011
30 universities identified as providing public health relevant undergraduate and graduate programs
15 MPH programs, growing # of Bachelor Programs
Core Competencies for Public Health and the Guidelines for Master’s of Public Health (MPH) Programs in Canada (The Public Health Agency of Canada, (PHAC))
Initial organizational support from PHAC and Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA)
CPHA provides secretariat services, participating universities pay a small annual fee

3. Accomplishments Annual meeting, periodic teleconferences
Sustained partnerships: PHAC, Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), National Collaborating Centres
Financial support for practicums through CIHR-IPPH
Sharing of tools and resources
Stakeholder workshop on “Career Path of Public Health Graduates”
Development funding for a project “Public Health Graduates, Where Do They Go” (PHAC)

4. Current Agenda Regular Forum on Public Health Education Pedagogy
Innovative Curriculum
Reciprocal Practicum placements
Accreditation
Website

5. Challenges Programs: Network: Applicants far exceed capacity
Meeting the needs of the “Public Health System” while addressing academic standards and capacity
Appropriate and funded practicums
Academic capacity
Resources
Perceptions/understanding of MPH by formal public health employers
Network:
Sustainability
Funding
Capacity to address agenda
Capacity for member participation
Finding issues of common interest

6. Opportunities Strong partnerships Willingness to collaborate
Support of CPHA, PHAC and CIHR-IPPH
Student interest
Growing Public Health System and community interest
Potential for international collaboration: innovative educational tools, practicum opportunities
Research
Impact of MPH on health/public systems

7. Thank You