Center of Excellence for Public Health

Dear Colleagues, Students, Partners, Researchers and Visitors,

It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I welcome you to the Center of Excellence for Public Health at the University of Sharjah.

Our Center was established in response to the growing public health challenges facing the UAE and the region, informed by global evidence such as the Global Burden of Disease Study. We are committed to promoting the health and well-being of communities by developing innovative, evidence-based solutions that address both communicable and non-communicable diseases, improve access to healthcare, and reduce health disparities.

The Center is built upon four key pillars: Research, Education, Training, and Innovation. Through these pillars, we aim to generate impactful research, strengthen public health capacity, support policy development, and contribute to sustainable improvements in population health outcomes.

Our strategic focus areas include health behavior and promotion; disease prevention and control; environmental and occupational health; epidemiology (communicable diseases and NCDs); health systems and policy; mental health and well-being; and health economics.

Our Center brings together experts from public health and diverse disciplines, as we strongly believe in interdisciplinary collaboration. By fostering partnerships with government entities, local and regional organizations, and the private sector, we strive to translate knowledge into meaningful and sustainable community impact.

Our vision is to position the University of Sharjah as a leading hub for public health excellence in the region—advancing research, shaping policy, and building the next generation of public health leaders.

I invite you to explore our initiatives, collaborate with us, and join our mission to improve health outcomes and strengthen public health systems in the UAE and beyond.

With best regards,

Dr. Wafa Alnakhi
Director
Center of Excellence for Public Health
University of Sharjah

The Center of Excellence for Public Health serves as a collaborative and interdisciplinary platform for research, education, training, and innovation in the field of public health. The center's primary focus is on improving public health outcomes through impactful and innovative research across different areas. It is comprised of nine research groups that cover core public health activities consisting of Health Promotion research group, Improving Healthcare Delivery and Medicines Use research group, Health Economics & Financing research group, Health and Workforce Studies research group, Clinical Epidemiology research group, Operational Research and Integrated AI in Healthcare research group, Nutrition and Food research group, Healthy Aging, Longevity, and Sustainability research group, and Health and Science Communication research group. Each of these research groups is committed to contributing to the significant improvement of health outcomes in the UAE and the region by conducting research that addresses critical public health research priorities and implementing evidence-based interventions that promote health and prevent disease. The Center embraces new technologies and approaches to improve the delivery of health services and advance public health knowledge.

Objective 

Promote public health and well-being of UAE communities and populations. The Center aims to conduct innovative research in the field of public health that aligns with national priorities and contributes to improving community health and quality of life.

Vision

To become a leading center of public health in the UAE, contributing to the improvement of public health outcomes in the country and the region.

Mission 

To conduct innovative and interdisciplinary research that informs policy and practice; and to generate and translate knowledge to promote the public health of the UAE population.

Strategic Goals 

• Innovative research
• Develop interventions, policies, and practice
• Fostering collaborations
• Informing policy and practice
• Training and mentorship
• Community Engagement
  
  

Focus Areas

• Epidemiology (communicable and NCD)
• Health Systems and Policy
• Health behavior and promotion
• Mental Health and Well-being
• Addressing health disparities
• Disease Prevention and Control
• Environmental and occupational health
• Health Economics

The center works on strengthening collaboration between academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and industry at both the local and international levels, striving to translate research findings into practical health policies and services that support decision-makers and address the needs of society.

Playing a vital role in tackling contemporary health challenges, including non-communicable diseases and global health crises, the center aspires to be a strategic partner in building a healthier future through strong local and global partnerships.

Center of Excellence for Public Health

ceph@sharjah.ac.ae