WHS Academic Alliance
The WHS Academic Alliance is the global academic network of the World Health Summit, bringing together 28 leading academic institutions. Founded by Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin in 2009, the Alliance drives science-based collaboration, connecting the academic community to inform global health agendas and strengthen the role of evidence in health policy and practice.
The International Presidency of the World Health Summit rotates annually among members of the WHS Academic Alliance.
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Our Mission
Agenda-setting for global health improvement and promotion of science-based solutions to global health challenges.
Activities
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New WHS Academic Alliance Working Group Launched at World Health Summit 2025
The first WHS Academic Alliance Working Group was officially launched in collaboration with UNICEF and Blockchain for Impact (BFI), with NIMS University (India) serving as the central secretariat.
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WHO - SEARO and KCDH - Ashoka University Launch a Year-Long Webinar Series on Responsible AI in Healthcare
The webinars are open to all to attend, encouraging broad participation and exchange.
Impact
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Annual WHS Regional Meetings
Each year, the World Health Summit is complimented by a Regional Meeting in a different part of the world, where local and regional topics come to the forefront. Each meeting is hosted by the WHS Academic Alliance member holding the World Health Summit International Presidency, which rotates every year.
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Co-hosted sessions at the World Health Summit 2025
The WHS Academic Alliance shapes not only the Global Health Agenda but also the #WHS2025 Program by co-hosting 11 sessions
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WHS Academic Alliance Declaration in Nature Medicine
In this official WHS Academic Alliance Declaration, members of the WHS Academic Alliance, including WHS President Prof. Dr. Axel R. Pries, highlight the importance of free science and global partnerships to achieve worldwide health goals.
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Nairobi, Kenya
The WHS Regional Meeting 2026, hosted by Aga Khan University, will bring together leaders and changemakers from across the African continent and beyond. Together, let's find solutions for pressing health challenges.
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Publications
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WHS Academic Alliance Declaration
In this official WHS Academic Alliance Declaration, members of the WHS Academic Alliance highlight the importance of free science and global partnerships to achieve worldwide health goals.
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Artificial Intelligence in migrant health: a critical perspective on opportunities and risks
The Lancet Regional Health Europe October 2025
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Joint Call Reinforcing the Commitment to Addressing Migration & Health
Endorsed by the WHS Academic Alliance, jointly with Virchow Foundation and various partners June 2025
Digital solutions for migrant and refugee health: a framework for analysis and action
The Lancet Regional Health Europe March 2025
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Health: A Political Choice - Advancing Indigenous Peoples' Rights and Well-being
Publication launched at WHS Regional Meeting in Melbourne, Australia April 2024
See all publications
Alliance News
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WHS Academic Alliance Best Thesis Prize 2026: Call for Nominations
The WHS Academic Alliance, in partnership with the Roma Sapienza Foundation, is offering a €5,000 prize for the best specialization or doctoral thesis in Health Sciences with a focus on global health. Early-career researchers at WHS Academic Alliance institutions who have completed or will complete by 30 January 2026, a PhD or residency are eligible. Nominations are accepted through each member institution, with the winner announced at the World Health Summit 2026 in Berlin.
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WHS Regional Meeting baton moves from New Delhi to Nairobi
As tradition, the Opening Night marked the handover of the WHS International Presidency. Following the successful Regional Meeting 2025 in New Delhi, Balvir S. Tomar (NIMS University) passed the baton to Lukoye Atwoli (Aga Khan University), as the community looked ahead to the 2026 Regional Meeting in Nairobi.
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Report of the International Urban Health Summit
The International Urban Health Summit (IUHS) 2025, co-hosted by the WHS Academic Alliance Member IAP, The InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), earlier this year brought together over 200 experts from more than 30 countries to explore how to place health at the center of city policy.
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WHS Academic Alliance Declaration in Nature Medicine
In this official WHS Academic Alliance Declaration, members of the WHS Academic Alliance, including WHS President Prof. Dr. Axel R. Pries, highlight the importance of free science and global partnerships to achieve worldwide health goals.
)
New WHS Academic Alliance Working Group Launched at World Health Summit 2025
The first WHS Academic Alliance Working Group was officially launched in collaboration with UNICEF and Blockchain for Impact (BFI), with NIMS University (India) serving as the central secretariat.
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The WHS Academic Alliance shapes not only the Global Health Agenda but also the #WHS2025 Program
We are proud to announce that the WHS Academic Alliance will be co-hosting 11 sessions at the upcoming World Health Summit 2025.
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WHO - SEARO and KCDH - Ashoka University Launch a Year-Long Webinar Series on Responsible AI in Healthcare
The webinars are open to all to attend, encouraging broad participation and exchange.
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WHS President Axel Pries Joins Academic Advisory Board of NIMS University
WHS President Prof. Dr. Axel Radlach Pries was appointed to the Academic Advisory Board of the Institute of Public Health and Governance at NIMS University in Jaipur, India.
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Coimbra Health Global Voices Fellowships
As part of the WHS Academic Alliance, Coimbra Health has launched the Global Voices Fellowships to support the participation of young clinicians and medical students from Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP) in the World Health Summit 2025.
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The Lancet Regional Health Europe Commission on Health, Migration, and Climate Change: The European Context
The WHS Academic Alliance and The Lancet launched a joint Commission on Health, Migration, and Climate Change, co-chaired by Luciano Saso and Stephen Matlin, in 2024.
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Congratulations to the new Dean of BU School of Public Health, Adnan Hyder!
We warmly congratulate Dr. Adnan Hyder, a longstanding member of the WHS Academic Alliance, on his appointment as Dean of Boston University School of Public Health. To mark the occasion, we asked him three short questions.
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Celebrating 150 Years of WHS Academic Alliance Member Fiocruz
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), one of the world's most respected institutions in public health research and innovation.
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Visit to WHS Academic Alliance member and WHS New Delhi 2025 host NIMS University Jaipur
After wrapping up WHS New Delhi 2025, our WHS Academic Alliance delegation had the pleasure of visiting NIMS University in Jaipur.
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WHS Regional Meeting 2026: Looking Ahead to Nairobi
The WHS Regional Meeting 2026 is heading to Kenya’s capital. In partnership with the Aga Khan University East Africa, it will bring together global health leaders to explore health solutions.
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Young Leaders in Global Health Award
The Young Leaders in Global Health Award recognized emerging leaders making impactful contributions to global health in academia. Meet our Awardees at the WHS Regional Meeting 2025.
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Strengthening Global Health Ties: WHS Academic Alliance Gathers in New Delhi
One day before the WHS Regional Meeting, the WHS Academic Alliance gathered in New Delhi for its traditional WHS Academic Alliance Assembly.
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The New Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security Report
Many people lack access to safe, quality, affordable medical oxygen. This contributes to preventable deaths and reduces quality of life, according to a recent report released by The Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security.
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Two New WHS Academic Alliance Members in India and Brazil
The Alliance proudly welcomes two new institutions: ENSP-Fiocruz, Brazil, and Ashoka University, India.
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WHS Academic Alliance Member TUMS in Iran Launches First Regional Center of Excellence for Global Health
Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) has inaugurated the Center of Excellence for Global Health (CEGH), the first of its kind in the MENA region.
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Digital Solutions for Migrant and Refugee Health: a Framework for Analysis and Action
The WHS Academic Alliance - Lancet Regional Health Europe launched the joint Commission on Health, Migration, and Climate Change in 2024, co-chaired by Luciano Saso (Sapienza University) and Stephen Matlin (Imperial College London)
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Introducing: The WHS Academic Alliance - and a Refresh
The international academic network of the World Health Summit has a new name: the former M8 Alliance is now the WHS Academic Alliance. This brand refresh better reflects the growth and evolution of the Alliance since its inception in 2009.
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Baton Hand Over - WHS Regional Meeting 2025
The ceremonial Baton Hand Over took place during the opening night of the WHS 2024, marking the formal transition of hosts and of the annual International World Health Summit Co-Presidency.
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Welcoming New Members to the WHS Academic Alliance
Welcoming New Members to the WHS Academic Alliance
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WHS Academic Alliance - Sapienza Foundation Thesis Prize
The WHS Academic Alliance Prize (formerly M8 Alliance Prize), funded by the Roma Sapienza Foundation, honors outstanding postgraduate or doctoral research in Health Sciences.
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Meet the Key Players in Global Health: The WHS Academic Alliance People
Who is behind the WHS Academic Alliance, the academic network of the World Health Summit? Meet the top global health players from leading global health institutions around the world.
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Governance
The WHS Academic Alliance Executive Committee is elected by the WHS Academic Alliance from amongst its members and has the purpose to speak and act for its interests. It represents the network publicly and assumes operative responsibility.
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Membership
If you are an academic institution interested in becoming a member of the WHS Academic Alliance, please contact us for details.
The following criteria are mandatory:
Highest quality of the institution with respect to overall academic excellence and standing in its country or region
Proven expertise in areas relevant for global health
Diversity, equity, and inclusion as characteristics of the institution
Suitability of the institution to the search profile of the WHS Academic Alliance
New members are elected by the WHS Academic Alliance assembly.