UCL Global Business School for Health (GBSH) and the International Institute for Primary Health Care – Ethiopia (IPHC‑E) have formalised a partnership to support the Ethiopian Ministry of Health in strengthening leadership and management capacity across the public sector.
The new Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for collaborative capacity development, creating opportunities for public sector managers to enhance their skills while navigating complex system transformation across the health sector.
Through this partnership, GBSH and IPHC‑E will work together to:
- Develop joint academic and professional development programmes
- Expand networks and create new opportunities for shared learning
- Support cross‑cultural exchange and mutual capacity strengthening
- Advance policy‑relevant research aligned with shared priorities
Initial activities include a cohort of Ethiopian health sector leaders undertaking a capacity building programme at the UCL Global Business School for Health, alongside wider engagement with key stakeholders in Ethiopia.
Perspectives from partners
Meike Schleiff, Associate Professor of Health Systems and Policy at GBSH, said:
“This collaboration represents an important step towards strengthening health systems through evidence‑based research and innovative leadership. By working closely with IPHC‑E, we can support the development of future health leaders who are equipped to address complex global challenges and drive meaningful, sustainable change.”
Professor Simcha Jong, Programme Director for the DBA Health at GBSH, added:
“We are delighted to support this partnership. Engaging practitioners and health leaders from Ethiopia enriches our global learning community and strengthens our shared commitment to advancing primary health care. Their experience and perspectives will help shape meaningful, internationally informed solutions to today’s most pressing health challenges.”
Dr Abnet Zeleke, Executive Director of the International Institute for Primary Health Care – Ethiopia, said:
“This collaboration with University College London presents an important opportunity to strengthen leadership within Ethiopia’s health sector while building national capacity to generate rigorous, policy‑relevant evidence. It will also help us think more strategically about the future of health in Ethiopia, enabling us to better understand emerging needs and develop practical approaches to address them.”