Creating agents of change: the Federation University researcher focused on the big picture of public health

As a graduate doctor, Professor Dr Muhammad Aziz Rahman took a job with a company producing cancer drugs. But in disadvantaged communities in Bangladesh, many patients he met simply could not afford the medication.

To have real impact, he resolved to focus on the bigger picture of disease prevention: as a public health specialist.

Prof Rahman has no regrets. His varied research interests include smoking and vaping, chronic diseases including mental health, and the health and wellbeing of migrants.

Currently head of Public Health at Federation University’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing, his research citations have ranked him in the world’s top 2 per cent scientists during 2020-3.  

But while research is a priority, so too is creating a new generation of public health advocates through teaching, academic supervision and leadership. Based at the Berwick campus, he aims to elevate the discipline’s status, which he says is often seen as less prestigious than clinical medicine, despite its potential to improve the lives of millions.

That’s why he set up Federation University’s Public Health Study Abroad program. The two-week study tour allows nursing students to supplement their clinical training with a deeper understanding of disease management and health promotion in Indonesia.

In its first two years, nearly 40 student nurses have visited Surabaya, attending workshops and seeing public health challenges and innovations first-hand, supported by local partner Universitas Airlangga.

By introducing students to approaches to issues like tobacco advertising, health education, family dynamics and traditional medicine, Prof Rahman aims to expand their horizons and, in the near future, welcome Indonesian students on exchange.

“Our nurses will deal with multicultural patients in Australia, and my objective for this trip is that they return more sensitised,” he says. “They will know that religion and culture can play an important role in health, and this helps them to provide the best care in Australia.”

Federation and Universitas Airlangga students visiting a local health centre in Indonesia.

For students studying a Master of Public Health at Federation University, they can expect to be surrounded by peers with diverse backgrounds. Prof Rahman is debunking the “myth” that public health can only be addressed by those from a health background by opening enrolment up to graduates from any discipline.

“We have students from multidisciplinary backgrounds; all they need is a passion for improving the health of global communities,” he says.

“I want students who want to create impact, who will be the agents of change.”

 

Ready to be an agent of change? Learn more about the Master of Public Health or contact Prof Rahman at ma.rahman@federation.edu.au to further your career in public health research.