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On January 13, at the My Dinh campus of VNU Vietnam Japan University, graduate students attended a seminar on the role of health governance in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), delivered by Dr. Chris McBrearty - Health Governance Specialist at UNDP Vietnam and WHO Vietnam.
The seminar was part of the Basics of Sustainability Science course and brought together learners from Viet Nam, Japan, Nigeria, and Myanmar.
In the presentation, Dr. McBrearty highlighted governance as a central pillar of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), emphasizing its role in connecting policies and fostering cross-sectoral collaboration to achieve health system outcomes and public health goals. Given the strong interlinkages among the SDGs, effective governance helps balance trade-offs and enhance positive synergies between SDG 3 and other goals.
The speaker also shared insights into joint WHO-UNDP programmes in Viet Nam aimed at improving access to quality health products through support for policy and legal development, as well as capacity building for health professionals. In addition, discussions on digital transformation and AI governance in healthcare attracted strong interest, focusing on Viet Nam’s commitment to innovation, as well as challenges related to high-quality human resources and the regulatory framework for digital health.
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Drawing on the lecture content and their own experiences, participants engaged in in-depth discussions with the speaker on health governance practices in Viet Nam, bringing the seminar to a close in a dynamic, open, and academically enriching atmosphere.
The seminar not only provided theoretical foundations but also offered practical perspectives on how global health governance frameworks are translated into national and local contexts. Students were encouraged to critically reflect on the roles of governments, international organizations, and non-state actors in shaping resilient and inclusive health systems. Through case studies and interactive dialogue, the session enhanced participants’ understanding of evidence-based policymaking and the importance of institutional coordination in addressing emerging health challenges. The event reaffirmed VNU Vietnam Japan University’s commitment to interdisciplinary education and to equipping future professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to sustainable development at both national and global levels.
