Global university launched

To boost the numbers of trained doctors in the developing world, a group of Canadian and American physicians are launching a free ’Global University’ that will specialize in medical education.

The university will combine online courses with local training to offer a Master of Public Health degree, as well as certificate programs "in adolescent health, cardiovascular disease prevention, climate change and health, urology, general surgery and prenatal care," the Canadian Medical Association Journal reported. Eventually, the group plans to offer complete medical degrees.

"Brick and mortar universities are not addressing the need for health professionals today in the world, so we have to come up with innovative new ways and technologies to solve this problem, to reach people who would otherwise be marginalized," Kate Tairyan, a University of British Columbia postdoctoral fellow who will be heading the Master of Public Health degree, said.

Programs will be jointly accredited by institutions such as UBC and Center for Surgery and Public Health at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The university is targeting students in Africa, South America, and South and East Asia.