In June, postgraduate students from the Global Business School for Health (GBSH) travelled to Cairo, Egypt for a week-long study tour filled with learning, policy engagement and cultural discovery. The experience a unique opportunity for immersive learning from the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region on real-world leadership for supporting better health outcomes in a diverse and changing world.
Students engaged with regional leaders to understand complex health realities, significant contextual shifts in health needs across a range of countries and countering these through policy leadership, equitable financing, strategic partnerships, essential medical products as well as openings for digital innovations, information technology to counter new threats such as antimicrobial resistance.
A visit to the World Health Organization Country Office for Egypt located in the historic Cairo downtown offered an incredible learning opportunity to see how regional policies and operational support converge and interface at the country level.
The tour also included attendance at Africa Health ExCon, the continent’s largest and most influential healthcare exhibition. Students explored cutting-edge healthcare technologies, new business models and forward-thinking policy developments shaping the future of health systems in Africa and beyond.
Outside of the academic programme, students immersed themselves in Egypt’s rich cultural heritage with visits to the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Reflecting on the experience, Aida, a Biotech and Pharmaceutical Management Master’s student from Indonesia said:
“This journey reminded me that global health isn’t about one solution, it’s about continuously navigating complexity with empathy, evidence, and courage.”
These international study tours are a highlighted feature to advance discovery and learning from the frontlines for health and well-being, fostering collaboration across educational programmes while offering the chance to explore new cultures and perspectives.
Immy presents a representative from World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean with a UCL Global Business School for Health tote bag.