Global Health (GH) is defined in a variety of ways, but within academia it encompasses interdisciplinary scholarship and practice, promotion of sustainable development, and realisation of social justice based on human rights and equity. GH works to address the challenges of health and wellbeing (for people and populations) in the context of globalisation and other health challenges in the 21st Century. This is a fast-expanding field of study, reflected in the growing number of institutions that teach GH. In Iran specifically, and the region there are currently no courses of study devoted to GH. This is a major gap in the health teaching portfolio of the region, particularly given the burden and complexity of health challenges that the region faces today. The overall goal of our project is to strengthen capacities of higher education institutes in Iran to address complex GH challenges specific to the West Asia and MENA region. Our specific objectives: 1. Establish postgraduate programme in Global Health with focus on specific needs in the Region of West Asia and based on blended learning in 3 higher education institutions (HEI) in Iran; 2. Establish short courses for professional development in Global Health for leaders and decisions -makers in different sectors as well as in public health in Iran; 3. Establish a Centre of Excellence for global health education and research in Iran; 4. Develop technological infrastructure and capacity to run distance learning courses; 5. Develop knowledge, competency and skills in innovative interdisciplinary pedagogical teaching approaches. These aims will contribute to the strengthening of Iran as a regional centre of excellence in teaching and research in GH. We will draw upon the experiences of associated partners in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tunisia to develop regionally appropriate teaching and training materials. The impact of our work is therefore likely to be felt beyond the borders of Iran itself.

The educational system in Iraq and Iran is facing many challenges such as lack of professional skills and competencies of teachers, weakness of methods and applications, inadequate access to technology, lack of sufficient knowledge and ability to exploit technology. PC universities have overcome these challenges.The aim of OPATEL consists in establishing and developing a center in IR&IQ unis to train staff and students by using an Online Platform for TEaching and learning to be as a hub for using best practices of ICT in education, as well as raising competencies of lecturers and teachers by enhancing learning processes of students.Wider Objectives:- Establishing a well-equipped center for E-Learning in partner unis- Transfer of EU-Experience in areas of ICT, skills development and merge new generations in this experience.- Training and following up with staff and students on how to develop, share learning objects, and collaborate their courses, presentations and exercises on online platforms.- Improving quality of teaching and learning by building the capacity of universities how to evaluate, develop and design e-courses.- Enhancing cooperation with EU partners through mutual visits to develop strategies how to move from teaching to learning and develop scalable sustainable solutions.The use of Online Platform will steer the education in the right direction. Training of staff to enhance and develop their abilities, solving the problems of ICT use in education and creating and publishing common methodology and documentation for lifelong learning, E-learning and training for IR&IQ in accordance with EU-Standards. 3 languages will be used in the project: Arabic, Persian and English. Many factors will be used for dissemination and success of OPATEL such as press and media; presenting progress using websites; participation of staff and students, participation of ministries of high educations and other HEIs.

Worldwide, more than 550,000 new cases of head and neck cancer (HNC) occur each year, resulting in approximately 300,000 deaths annually. It is the 6th most common cancer in both Europe and South America. A major reason for the high mortality rate for this cancer is the late stage of diagnosis for many patients. Accurate assessment of the prognosis of HNC cases also allows for appropriate treatment decisions. HEADSpAcE will bring together a consortium of 18 partners with a long and successful record of collaboration in HNC. The impact of HEADSpAcE will be to understand reasons for late diagnosis and reduce the proportion of HNC that are diagnosed at a very late stage. It will identify the most appropriate fashion for diagnosis cancer caused by human papilloma virus, and also provide genomic evidence of strong predictors of prognosis that will have the potential to improve care and reduce treatment related morbidity. We will also develop guidelines for implementation into clinical care.

As a consequence of the ageing of the society, osteoporosis (literally “porous bone”) and its complications is becoming more and more prevalent, making the bone disease a health priority in many parts of the world. Currently osteoporosis is commonly known as a “silent killer” disease. Usually osteoporosis manifests itself in a drastic manner, i.e. through fracture of the osteoporotic bone in the affected individual. Until now little or no measures for prevention or early detection of this disease are taken, because no simple, yet sufficiently precise or sensitive tools for early detection of individuals at risk of osteoporosis are available. The overall objective of the currently proposed PoCOsteo project therefore is the development, clinical validation and preparation for commercialisation of a Point-of-Care tool for bone disease (a.o. osteoporisis) prevention, detection and treatment. To realize this objective a balanced consortium of 5 research partners and 3 SME’s has been brought together, and a well considered workplan devised. Two TRL3 technologies for individual proteomic and genomic electrochemical sensors, available from 2 consortium partners will form the base of the developments. The sensors will be further optimised, combined in a single microfluidic cartridge and integrated in a complete and independent point-of-care bone health assessment tool. The tool will consequently be clinically validated in 2 hospitals (Graz and Tehran), and a business plan for a commercial start-up company wil be prepared for the intended valorisation of the technical and medical activities. The aim is to reach a TRL6 / TRL7 for the complete tool and for the combined microfluidci cartridges. The project will be supported and advised by the IOF, the International Osteoporosis Foundation, which is the main global alliance of patient societies, research organizations, healthcare professionals and international companies working to promote bone, muscle and joint health.

Training on innovative and advanced medical and ICT technology are an important element of the nation’s education initiative. Challenges in Jordan, Iraq and Iran such as worsening of ecological situation in this country, iincreasing migration of population, the severe crisis (wars) and the closed political systems have a negative influence at education systems, especially medical education.The aim is introducing the innovative technologies in medical education by training on innovative medical and ICT technologies and realistic simulation models and concepts for training for JO,IR, and IQ.Objective:•Establishing a training center to train staff and students on innovative medical technology•Training on innovative technologies in EU and adapting the training in PC• Enhancement of training‐methodical complexes on bases of modernized training courses• Development and providing multimedia and materials for training• Building, development and training a generation on the innovative technologiesResults:• An equipped Center with innovative technology will be established• Adoption of EU experience on modernizing training and teaching by project trainers from PC• A flexible training will be issued by the PC•Training course technologies, multimedia component and material created • Providing staff with experience on innovative technology with modernized training system.• Training course and multimedia approach are createdPress and media; presenting progress using websites and participation of ministries of high education and health will help to disseminate and success of the project. 3 languages will be used Arabic, Persian and English.This help the advancement of education and training in JO,IR and IQ and raising its level so as to enhance its active role in the development and community service plans, and building society scientific simulates the latest developments in various fields of science and technology and contributes to creativity.