Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, is set to host a major international health dialogue through the MAHE Global Health Summit 2026. The summit will be organised alongside the World Health Summit (WHS) Academic Alliance and the Lancet Commission on Academic Responsibility, bringing together leading voices from academia and public health to strengthen evidence-driven policy and global cooperation.
The global programme will begin at MAHE’s Dubai campus from 5 to 7 February 2026 before moving to the Manipal campus in India on 9 February 2026. This dual-location format reflects MAHE’s growing international footprint and its commitment to building meaningful conversations on global health across regions.
The Dubai segment of the summit will mark the formal launch of the WHS Academic Alliance Lancet Commission on Academic Responsibility. A high-level symposium titled Academic Responsibility in a Fragmenting World will be held on 5 February, setting the tone for discussions on the role of universities and research institutions in addressing complex global challenges. The Dubai meetings will also align with MAHE’s broader public health vision, including the announcement of the launch of the Bachelor of Public Health programme at the Dubai campus. In addition, MAHE will host the Commission’s kick-off meetings on 6 and 7 February 2026.
Dr Cherian Varghese, Director of the Prasanna School of Public Health, will represent MAHE as one of the Commissioners, contributing to the international dialogue on academic responsibility and public health leadership.
Building on the outcomes of the Dubai discussions, the summit will conclude at the Manipal campus on 9 February 2026. The Manipal leg will bring together global commissioners, national public health leaders, academicians and practitioners from across India. The sessions will focus on adapting global insights to regional and local health priorities, ensuring that international recommendations translate into practical outcomes on the ground.
A major highlight of the Manipal summit will be four thematic panel discussions examining the intersection of academia, society and public health practice. The panels will address evolving social norms with a special focus on mental health, participatory research through a One Health approach, evidence-based policymaking with emphasis on diet and nutrition, and the development of trusted communication strategies, particularly in relation to vaccine safety and public confidence.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh VSM (Retd.) said that through the WHS Academic Alliance, the Lancet Commission and the Global Health Summit 2026, MAHE aims to strengthen the role of academic institutions as drivers of social progress, policy influence and sustainable healthcare systems. He added that hosting such global platforms reinforces MAHE’s position as an international convener dedicated to advancing collaborative and evidence-based solutions to public health challenges.
Dr S Sudhindra, Pro Vice-Chancellor of MAHE Dubai, highlighted the importance of launching the summit at the Dubai campus. He noted that the UAE’s growing role as a regional and global healthcare research hub makes it an ideal location to initiate discussions on academic responsibility and high-quality global research collaboration.
Axel R Pries, President of the World Health Summit, underlined the urgency of the Commission’s work, stating that rising threats to academic freedom and scientific institutions have made global solidarity among researchers more critical than ever. He described the Commission as a key step towards strengthening international cooperation in health research and safeguarding scientific integrity.
With this initiative, MAHE continues to expand its role in shaping global health dialogue by bridging academic expertise, policy engagement and community-focused health solutions across international boundaries.
Subscribe Deshwale on YouTube
