Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Through international collaboration and research, review comparative approaches and develop international best practice on tackling the SDGs

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is at the forefront of international collaboration and research. With partnerships spanning over 250 institutions and universities globally, MAHE actively fosters academic exchanges for both students and faculty, driving impactful joint research projects.

MAHE has established itself as a key contributor to research focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university has created specialized research centers and institutes dedicated to critical areas such as climate change, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, healthcare, and education.

One of the powerful tools empowering MAHE's research initiatives is the Pure Portal, an innovative solution developed by Elsevier. By consolidating diverse data sources into a single platform, Pure Portal ensures that researchers have access to reliable, comprehensive, and real-time information. This capability allows MAHE's researchers to effectively showcase their work and collaborate with peers, thereby amplifying their impact.

Furthermore, the Pure Portal significantly enhances MAHE's international collaboration and research efforts, enabling the institution to critically review comparative approaches and establish international best practices for tackling the SDGs. Through these initiatives, MAHE is not only participating but also leading several research projects that are dedicated to devising global solutions for sustainable development.

1. Design Dentaverse Manipal 1.0 Hackathon 2023

   
   

   Public Evidence:

• Design dentaverse manipal 1.0 hackathon-2023

• Daijiworld-newsDisplay

• Mahe hosts inaugural dentaverse 1.0 hackathon-2023

Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal and Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, Manipal, in collaboration with Innovation Center, MAHE, will conduct the DESIGN DENTAVERSE 1.0 MANIPAL, 36-hour unique hackathon on 1st September -2nd September 2023 where the students from different areas can identify the problems related to dental students and solve as a commercial solution.

Climate Justice and Student Leadership Program -A global collaborative online program

This online program was offered collaboratively by The University of British Columbia, Deakin University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Nanyang Technological University, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Monash University during April 18 – May 24, 2023. 

This pilot co-curricular program on climate justice and student leadership brings together universities in the Global North and the Global South to explore the linkages between climate change and inequality through a justice lens, and to develop globally-minded student leaders with a focus on local activism for global impact, and cross-cultural perspectives on climate justice.

Prof. Juliene Venne, Head of the Department of Social & Health Innovation at Prasanna School of Public Health at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) (India) and also affiliated to the United Nations University contributed as a mentor of this program.

The program explores the implications of climate injustice at both local and global scale through the lens of power and privilege, and will develop students’ leadership capacities, intercultural, communications and design skills in order to mobilize students across participating institutions to take action through the lens of climate justice. The program framework is based in the three pillars for social change: Knowledge, Skills, and Action; and grounded in the values of: Empathy, Solidarity and Compassion. 

The learning outcomes of the program include:

• Intercultural knowledge and competence (communication, self-awareness, critical reflection) 

• Global citizenship (global knowledge and competence, social responsibility) 

• Transferable professional skills (navigating complexity, teamwork, problem-solving, application of learning in real world situations) 

• Develop an understanding of climate justice, making connections to your lived experience and the UN Sustainable Development Goals 

• Climate justice and student leadership global training program   

• Manipal academy higher education 

• Leadership in public health course launched at mahe 

International Conference on Green Economy and Sustainable Growth through Strategic Change

• 7th international conference on green economy and sustainable

• Sob-icgesgtsc-2024.

The 7th International Conference on Green Economy and Sustainable Growth through Strategic Change will be organised by the School of Business, MAHE, Dubai, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, MAHE, Manipal and College of Banking and Financial Studies, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman 22^nd & 23^rd of February 2024. Under the overarching theme of "Green Economy and Sustainable Growth through Strategic Change, in recent years, economies all around the world have been experiencing a protracted slowdown driven by structural, global, and cyclical factors. Economic strategies that have been implemented to tackle recession and achieve rapid economic development have endangered sustainable growth by contributing to environmental degradation, global warming, and other negative repercussions.

Changing the paradigm to a green economy will boost natural capital stocks, safeguard the environment, and ensure social justice by providing practical tools and approaches to achieve sustainable growth while reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. A transition to a green economy, however, faces challenges such as a lack of an appropriate policy framework, inadequate capital expenditure, varying levels of development, and resource endowments.  Therefore, for green sustainable development, newer business models, strategic changes, innovation in the use of resources, responsible and cleaner business practices, and green technologies are needed.

Mapping Climate-Induced Dengue Proliferation Zones in Kerala for Targeted Health Interventions

One of the faculty members Prof. Remya Tressa Jacob, Assistant Professor, TAPMI – MAHE – Manipal  is working on a project sponsored by J-PAL (Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab) titled “Mapping Climate-Induced Dengue Proliferation Zones in Kerala for Targeted Health Interventions”.

The study examines the scarcely explored relationship between climate change and the rise in vector-borne diseases (VBDs), particularly dengue, in Kerala, a state renowned for its health infrastructure comparable to developed countries. It has been documented that despite witnessing a transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases, Kerala faces a significant challenge in controlling VBDs indicating a critical gap in the current health service system. Recent data underscores the urgency of this issue as the number of deaths due to dengue has escalated in recent times, with a 132% increase in cases in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The focal policy challenge is the absence of targeted strategies within existing health policies that address the climatic determinants potentially exacerbating VBDs. Our study stands as a precursor to explore the possibility of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), setting the stage for testing climate-responsive interventions and policies and thereby contributing to a more resilient healthcare system in Kerala.

• Mapping climate induced dengue proliferation zones kerala targeted health

Other Collaborations 

MAHE has several centers of excellence and research centres which enhance and accelerate implementations of SDGs across all verticals, including administration, education, research and start-ups. 

Public Health Evidence South Asia (PHESA)

Public Health Evidence South Asia (PHESA), an initiative at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, actively collaborates with diverse organizations to advance public health evidence in South Asia.

Public Health Evidence South Asia (PHESA), an initiative at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, actively collaborates with diverse organizations to advance public health evidence in South Asia. These partnerships have led to numerous publications, workshops, and knowledge exchange, enhancing research, capacity building, and credibility. PHESA's mission is to meet public health evidence needs in the region, while their vision includes expanding collaborations, addressing complex issues, stimulating debates, and leveraging automation for policy impact.

Link to Public Evidence:

• worldebhcday phesa bridging evidence gaps through collaboration

Kasturba Medical College, Manipal in collaboration with India – Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Centre for Clinical and innovative forensics and supported by Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences organized a two-day national-level medical symposium on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Kasturba Medical College, Manipal in collaboration with India – Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Centre for Clinical and innovative forensics and supported by Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences organized a two-day national-level medical symposium on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

The symposium focused on establishing a survivor-centric model of care across India. Specialists in the field of sexual and gender-based violence, including senior medical faculty (forensic medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry), lawyers, and women’s rights activists highlighted the need for better policies and practices to mitigate the structural and systemic deterrents which hinder survivors’ access to medical and psychological care. These include issues such as mandatory police reporting for POCSO, lack of holistic medical education and training among healthcare workers, prejudiced media narratives, and deficiencies in health-seeking behavior among survivors due to a lack of knowledge and awareness

Link to Public Evidence:

• National level medical symposium

• Symposium for action plan on sexual gender based violence

 MAHE, bioMérieux to establish Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Resistance, Stewardship

Manipal Academy of Higher Education and bioMérieux announced the signature of the framework agreement to create a Center of Excellence for Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Stewardship. This new generation laboratory will be located at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. The increasing and inappropriate use of antibiotic treatment for both human and animal medicine is fuelling the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria around the world. Common infectious diseases are becoming more and more difficult to treat, which is alarming for the entire healthcare community.

A recent report* by The Lancet estimates 1.27 million people die from Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) each year. If no action is taken, AMR could lead to 10 million people dying every year by 2050, according to the World Health Organization**. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is key to fighting resistance and sustaining antibiotic efficacy for future generations as it allows patients to get the right drug, at the right dose at the right time.

bioMérieux and Manipal Academy of Higher Education have a shared vision for the future of managing AMR & improving antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives. Through this agreement, Manipal Academy of Higher Education has become a partner of choice to define and demonstrate Medical & Economic value and data-driven best practices around AMS, to improve AMS interventions and showcase how throughout the medical community across South Asia. They are also collaborating in a clinical performance evaluation of new diagnostic solutions. Manipal Academy of Higher Education is using its unique panel of academic, technical, and business experts to address the topic of AMR & AMS.

As a world leader in in vitro diagnostics, bioMérieux provides its expertise in advanced diagnostic technologies, IT and lab automation, as well as training and quality management support. A dedicated team is accompanying Manipal Academy of Higher Education to support their AMS initiatives to optimize the use of antibiotics and fight against the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). With its comprehensive range of diagnostic solutions and deep knowledge on data generation for and beyond the lab, bioMérieux will directly support frontline AMS stakeholders, including clinicians and pharmacists, with timely, integrated diagnostic insights to support patient therapy and stewardship intervention.

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education said “We consider bioMérieux as a global partner with long-standing commitment & expertise in infectious disease diagnostics and a strong presence worldwide. We are convinced that working together will boost the efficiency and the quality of patient care and will show significant improvement in antimicrobial stewardship measures,”

Rajan Nagar, Vice President & General Manager – bioMérieux, South Asia added “We are extremely pleased by this partnership as we benefit from the expertise of the leading microbiologists and clinicians at Manipal Academy of Higher Education to fight against antimicrobial resistance and further develop antimicrobial stewardship solutions. We are convinced that rapid patient results and epidemiological information will enable microbiologists and clinicians to work together more closely and effectively with the aim of improving patient care.” This landmark event was witnessed by Dr P L N G Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr Venkatraya Prabhu, Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr Narayana Sabhahit, Registrar, MAHE, Dr Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay, Associate Dean, Dr Krishnananda Prabhu, Associate Dean, Dr Vandana K E, Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, from KMC, Manipal. The bioMérieux was represented by Mr Somnath Banerjee, Mr Soumyabrata Chakraborty, and Dr Navjeet Singh.

Link to Public Evidence:

• Mahe-biomerieux sign agreement to set up lab at kmc in manipal