University of Melbourne taps UPOU as hub for Int'l Observatory on Mental Health

 

 

Dr. Harry Minas, the Director of the Center for International Mental Health, University of Melbourne, met with the officials of the UPOU, led by Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, to explore the possibility of having the university as one of the International Observatories on Mental Health Systems for the Asia and the Pacific.

The International Observatory on Mental Health Systems is “a mental health systems research, education and development network that will contribute to the development of high quality mental health systems in low- and middle-income countries (www.ijmhs.com).”

UPOU is being considered as the hub in Philippines because of the university's strategic location; its use of communication technologies making its reach wider; and its experience in resource management, content development, and course delivery via online.

The University of Melbourne, particularly Dr. Minas, on the other hand will try to negotiate for a funding support for the consortium. Since at the moment, the member-institutions of the observatory are giving their time and resources to the project for free and as part of their advocacy towards international mental health awareness and practice for all.

The meeting was held on 11 June 2009 at the UPOU Office of the Chancellor, CICT Bldg., Diliman, Quezon City. Other UPOU officials present in the meeting were Dr. Ma. Fe V. Mendoza, Dean of FMDS; Dr. Dinah P. Nadera, Multimedia Center Director; and Prof. Myra Jill Siason of FICS. (Luisa A. Gelisan, OC)

 

Date posted: June 18, 2009