My background is as a midwife and nurse, and I chose the 2020 MSc satellite course because I wanted to learn more in-depth in graduate school after studying in the 2019 TTM (Tropical Medicine Training Course). I was out of the country as a student because I was studying while working as an overseas health adviser for JICA. With a 13-hour time difference, I had to watch recordings of classes repeatedly and make arrangements for late nights and early mornings for on-time discussions with my supervisor, group work, and thesis review meetings.
The MSc brings together students from various backgrounds, and the research content is diverse, including experiments, public health, innovation, and systematic reviews. The classes are highly flexible except for the required courses, and students can choose types in their field of interest. Onsite students can focus on their research because there are no long-term overseas training programs. Also, a large percentage of the students are international students. The monthly homeroom with the course director, Prof. Hirayama, is a relaxing time to discuss each other’s research and daily life, connecting the onsite and satellite facilities. My research was a questionnaire survey of mothers in Bolivia, South America, regarding mother-to-child transmission of Chagas disease, and being able to conduct research in the field through trial and error was a great experience.
It took much work to study while working abroad. Still, I could complete the program thanks to the understanding of my colleagues, my supervisor and the faculty of TMGH, who patiently guided me. Also, my classmates at the onsite satellite encouraged each other and the support of the academic affairs staff. I also learned to never give up on my studies and research until the end. My studies and experiences at TMGH will be a source of inspiration for me in the future.
To those considering the MSc course, I recommend the highly flexible MSc course and the environment where you can confidently study and research under the tremendous support of TMGH.
Short message from Thanawat Khongyot,
That is my best experience time living abroad outside my country. An unforgettable experience in Japan has begun.
My name is Thanawat Khongyot from Thailand. I graduated M.Sc. (Health Innovation) from the School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University.
Before I came here, “Tropical medicine” and “Global Health” were the main topics that I wanted to learn and bring this knowledge to develop the health system in my country. TMGH is the first school where I decided to come and discover these topics. I would say that “Experience-based knowledge” is one of my best appreciations. During my stay here, you can learn lectures from different disciplines worldwide in the international environment. You can get the best multicultural experiences with other students in the class. Health Innovation course is one of my recommended course to study. This course allows you to do what you want based on your laboratory and non-laboratory experiences. They also provided the extra-curriculum class for the students who wished to expand their skills and knowledge. TMGH facilities always support your research and academics, together with NEKKEN (Japan’s most prominent tropical medicine institute). Honestly, I feel like TMGH is my second home; professors, administrative staff, and friends always care for and support each other. TMGH changed me to be different and stimulated me to be a good researcher. Thank you again for the best experience during my stay here.
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I joined graduate school of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH) as a member of the MSc family – Innovative course. For two years, I have been learning the latest sciences in Global Health and medical sciences. I applied my gained knowledge to support and develop electronic health system in Egypt (my hometown country). All professors, colleagues and administrative staff supported us as students and as member of TMGH family. The learning experience in TMGH was professional, motivated, and inspiring as it enhanced my skills and abilities to think globally and in a comprehensive manner.
During my study, Professor Satoshi Kaneko (my supervisor) taught me a lot, not only science but also manners and way of thinking. Really, I am honored to learn from him a lot and to be one of the MSc graduates in TMGH. Such mixed educative family environment makes TMGH as a unique graduate school for Global Health pioneers.
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As an experienced humanitarian worker, the global health remains one of my major concerns to improve life of people facing disaster and conflict in the world. The TMGH program of Nagasaki University provides an opportunity to learn basic skills covering wide topics in the area of communicable and non-communicable diseases which is beyond the limits of geographical and/or economic boundaries.
During the two years’ course, I was provided with a great opportunity through impressive lectures and laboratory practices to learn different aspect of Tropical Medicine and Global Health. This helped to develop a bridge between research and field work to improve the impact of intervention in vulnerable populations. Apart from this, I acquired knowledge in multicultural awareness which helps to take different approaches to problem solving and also creates valuable new skills and behaviors required in the field.
I believe, I am fully armed with the required skills and certainly use them in my humanitarian field. Also, this will be a significant asset not only for my career but for my organization and for the vulnerable population receiving our interventions globally.