Strengthening its commitment to expand advanced health education and developing highly capable public health professionals, the University of Northern Philippines and the University of the Philippines College of Public Health (UP-CPH) moved closer to the possible offering of a Master in Public Health program at UNP.
A final exploratory discussion on the prospect of offering the graduate program was held on September 11, 2026 at the University of the Philippines Manila, bringing together representatives from UNP and UP-CPH to further discuss the academic, faculty, and institutional requirements for the proposed program.
The meeting brought together key academic and public health leaders from both institutions, emphasizing the shared commitment to advance graduate education and strengthen public health capacity. Representing the University of Northern Philippines were Dr. Pablo Quedado, Dean of the College of Medicine, and Ms. Kriza Rosette Cadorna, faculty member of the College of Health Sciences, who engaged with officials and academic experts from the University of the Philippines College of Public Health.
Joining the discussions from UP-CPH were Dr. Fernando Garcia Jr., Dean of the Department of Health Policy and Administration College of Public Health; Dr. Vivien Fe Fadrilan-Camacho, Assistant to the Dean for Academic Affairs; Dr. Geraldine Dayrit; Dr. Evalyn Roxas; Prof. Buenalyn Teresita Ramos-Mortel; and Prof. Marian Fe Theresa Lomboy-Capino. Their participation provided a strong academic and institutional foundation for exploring the requirements, arrangements, and capacity-building measures necessary for the proposed Master in Public Health program at UNP.
The initiative highlights the institutions’ shared commitment to ensure that the proposed program meets rigorous academic and professional standards while building UNP’s capacity to provide quality postgraduate education in public health.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Master in Public Health program will be offered through the UNP College of Medicine, further expanding the College’s role in advancing health education, professional development, and public health practice.
The initiative reflects UNP’s continuing pursuit of strategic academic partnerships and innovative pathways for graduate education. Through its collaboration with UP-CPH, the University seeks to provide health professionals and other qualified learners in Northern Luzon with greater access to advanced public health education while contributing to the development of a stronger and more responsive public health workforce.
The proposed MPH offering, once established, is expected to complement UNP’s existing health-related programs and reinforce the University’s commitment to address emerging health challenges through education, research, community engagement, and professional development.
