University of British Columbia Office of Financial Services

Published purpose

This project aims to build human resources and institutional capabilities to effectively reduce the impact of environmental health risks. It focuses on strengthening links between universities and communities and developing a Latin American regional network on environmental health risks. The University of British Columbia works in collaboration with two health institutes: the Instituto Nacional de Higiene Epidemiologia y Microbiologia, based in Cuba, and the Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica, based in Mexico. Together, they build the capacities of the University Cuenca, the University of Bolivar and the University of Machala in Ecuador. This project aims to increase self-reliance and to enhance the ability of Ecuador to address its environmental health needs. Specifically, project activities work to improve the ability of university faculty to teach masters, diploma and certificate programs. They also aim to increase the dissemination of environmental health knowledge, as well as collaboration among institutions (private, non-governmental organizations and others) to translate knowledge into action. Finally, they contribute to increasing community capacity to address local environmental health concerns.