London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

The School is celebrating the first anniversary of success in winning the 2009 Gates Award for Global Health with an event in Geneva.

This celebrates LSHTM's commitment to improving health worldwide and the vital role its alumni play in delivering this. This event, held in conjunction with the Global Health Council, which manages the Gates Award for Global Health competition, also kicks off the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Gates Award and provides a platform for the announcement of the 2010 winners by US Secretary for Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius.

LSHTM received $1 million in prize money from the Gates Award, which it is using to fund enhancement of the distance learning programme, for scholarships for international students and to support ideas put forward by staff in a competition called, "LSHTM's got Talent!"

Professor Sir Andrew Haines, Director of LSHTM said, "I believe our success can be attributed to our unique combination of sustained high quality research relevant to global health issues, our commitment to postgraduate teaching and training, our activities to promote evidence-based policy and practice and our long-term partnerships with many institutions in low- and middle- income countries."

LSHTM has offered degrees by distance learning for over 10 years and more than 3,000 students currently study for MScs or Postgraduate Diplomas. Aimed at those who do not have the time or money to study in London, these degrees help improve healthcare in low-and middle-income countries.

Over £100,000 of the Gates Award prize went to winning ideas from the "LSHTM's got Talent" competition, including a project to link up staff, alumni and students in Afghanistan, the construction of an clinic and office in Malawi and the development of a new residential Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in East Africa.

The impressive contributions alumni have made towards improving global health was a key factor in LSHTM's success in winning the 2009 Award . Alice Perry, Alumni Relations Manager comments, "The achievements and dedication of our alumni is at the heart of what the School is about and plays an active part in delivering the School's mission to improve health worldwide. Many universities build relationships with their alumni, recognising that this can benefit them in financial terms, for example through their involvement in fundraising or student recruitment. LSHTM believes an active alumni association can generate much wider social benefits. Our alumni community provides excellent opportunities for collaboration, mentoring, advocacy and fellowship and is invaluable in rapid response situations such as natural disasters, where contact with other local and international specialists in a wide variety of public health fields increases the expertise and support available to the effected community."