UL strengthens global health ties by hosting Penn State University students

Show Voice Options This initiative reinforces UL’s growing role as a hub for international partnerships and real-world health research in rural contexts. The visiting students, representing both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, will gain valuable insights into public health in South Africa, especially in Limpopo Province, where healthcare delivery faces unique challenges and opportunities. During their stay, the students will visit local clinics, NGOs, and hospitals, including Mankweng Hospital, to observe healthcare practices, explore cultural dynamics in treatment, and identify potential areas for research collaboration. UL Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Mahlo Mokgalong, officially welcomed the group, emphasising the importance of the university’s long-standing relationship with Penn State. “This partnership began many years ago, including during my time conducting research in the United States,” said Prof Mokgalong. “We are committed to maintaining strong collaborations in healthcare, which remains one of the most critical and dynamic sectors in South Africa.” According to Dr Joshua Rosenberger, a faculty member at Penn State University, the programme forms part of the Department of Behavioural Health. It involves sending groups of students to various countries to gain cultural exposure and hands-on experience in health science and medicine. “In this phase, the students will be participating in various areas, such as Mankweng, where they will shadow different doctors for two weeks to understand healthcare delivery in Limpopo, and visit different organisations to learn about their health behaviours,” said Dr Rosenberger. He noted that their partnership with UL is now in its tenth year, although the project was halted due to COVID-19. He expressed appreciation for the Department of Public Health under the School of Medicine at UL for running the programme, which has also enabled staff exchanges and research collaborations with Penn State University. One of the students, Maggie Scichitano, hopes to further her studies in medicine and believes her time at UL will broaden her understanding of global health, improve her patient interaction skills, and enrich her studies. Another student, Sophia Filino, described the programme as an eye-opener. “Being in a new environment and being able to understand how the health system works will give me first-hand experience. It’s very different from simply reading about it in a book,” Filino said.