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Symposia & Conferences

An opportunity to gather international experts to advance knowledge and expertise relating to key health issues. Driven by faculty members and international collaborating partners, there have been or are ongoing programs:

The School of Global Health World Health Assembly Simulation

The World Health Assembly Simulation (WHA SIM) offers students an immersive learning experience in global health, modelled after the WHO’s decision-making body. Held annually in Geneva, Switzerland, this simulation enhances participants' understanding of collaborative governance and multi-sectoral challenges, equipping them with essential skills for navigating complex global health issues.

The 2024 WHA Simulation, themed “ONE HEALTH”, focused on the inter-connectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Held on May 2-3, 2024, the event provided a platform for students to develop skills in collaboration, public speaking, debate, diplomacy, and policy writing, preparing them to contribute to future health governance initiatives. See video highlights

Learn More: The School of Global Health World Health Assembly (WHA) Simulation

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Director General of the World Health Organization addresses York WHA Simulation delegation

Conference for Undergraduate Health Research (CUHR)

The Undergraduate Health Research Exploration (UHRE) hosts the Conference for Undergraduate Health Research (CUHR), a platform for future transformational leaders in health research. CUHR is Canada's first health-focused undergraduate level research conference, promoting a culture of curiosity, interdisciplinarity, and collaboration amongst the future generation of health researchers on a global scale. CUHR, a student-led initiative, has hosted over 150 research presentations over the past 2 years of its operation and has successfully connected over 400 student researchers from as far as Africa, Middle East, Europe, Central America and Asia.

"CUHR acknowledges that the journey of research engagement is not a linear path for every undergraduate student, particularly those coming from underrepresented backgrounds and those who face systemic barriers" says co-founder Mohamed Elsayed Elghobashy. CUHR is a hybrid international conference that is free of charge, aiming to provide an accessible platform for undergraduate health researchers from around the world.

Actively participating in CUHR locally and globally represents the initial steps towards ensuring an inclusive future of health research. “The goal is to contribute to the development of better localities, communities, and ultimately, a better world” says co-founder Parmin Rahimpoor-Marnani. “Inclusivity in research involves the comprehensive and collaborative utilization of findings and perspectives from researchers with diverse disciplines, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds.”

The abstract submissions for CUHR open at the beginning of each winter term. Abstract submissions aligning with the theme of each year's CUHR are accepted until the end of winter term, and CUHR takes place in summer of each year.

The Conference for Undergraduate Health Research (CUHR) 2024
Student Presentations