START Collaborates with the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda

In late March, at the invitation of the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), four members from the Strategic Analysis, Research, and Training (START) Center traveled to Kigali, Rwanda to share lessons learned with UGHE leadership & stakeholders about START’s academic consulting model. This workshop was mutually developed over a six-month process, which included two visits to START and University of Washington (UW) by Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, the Vice Chancellor of UGHE, and additional UGHE leaders.

At UW, the START Center is a unique model that was initiated in 2011 as a collaboration between the Department of Global Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The START Center uses an innovative mentorship model to provide high-quality analysis and research support to public health organizations while developing applied research and analytic skills of graduate research assistants. START is uniquely placed in the global health landscape, providing academic consulting skills and strategy support for some of the biggest players in the field, particularly the Gates Foundation.

UGHE, an initiative of the NGO Partners In Health, is a ground-breaking health sciences university in Rwanda that is training the next generation of leaders in healthcare delivery. UGHE is a private institution that is leveraging expertise and resources from the Government of Rwanda, Harvard University, and other partners to take an innovative, equity-focused approach to health sciences education and research.

The START Center’s vision of supporting global and public health organizations to achieve impact by enhancing strategic decision making and building the next generation of global health leaders is also a core vision of UGHE.  During the convening in Rwanda, the START team shared the details of how their unique training and mentorship model is leveraged to train global health professionals in leadership, management, and consulting strategies. START worked with UGHE leadership to brainstorm strategies for UGHE to leverage their own expertise in these areas.

The workshop provided an opportunity for two unique organizations in global health to meet and share ideas, and serves as a starting point for a longer engagement.