SVEK13021U One Health Summer School

Volume 2014/2015
Content

The course is part of the University of Copenhagen (UCPH)/Technical University of Denmark (DTU) strategic collaboration ”Food Science Copenhagen” (FoSCo), which promotes cross- disciplinary scientific excellence in the fields of health, food- and veterinary science, and associated technical and life sciences. The course comprises two modules: a) a six weeks e-learning module from Monday 13th April – 22rd May 2015 and b) a two week on-campus module from 10th – 21st August 2015 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

One Health is a concept that acknowledges and aims to provide efficient solutions to the multifaceted global challenges to human, animal and environmental health through cross- disciplinary research, education and collaboration between relevant institutions and stakeholders. One Health not only implies involvement of different sciences, but is also an approach which encourages coordination, communication, data sharing and joint efforts between the involved parties. In many countries, this requires development of new ways of handling challenges such as food security and safety, emerging and endemic zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial and drug resistance, climate change and different types of environmental pollutants. Denmark has a long tradition of using One Health approaches and is among the world leading in pursuing good solutions to several of these challenges. Therefore the collaboration between the two universities offers an outstanding environment for the One Health Summer School.

The One Health approach has gained world-wide renewed attention during the last years as a way to handle emerging infectious diseases, food safety and environmental health problems. This One Health Summer School provides insight into and a critical overview of the methods used in the One Health approach by drawing on the successful Danish achievements characterized by widely cross-disciplinary collaboration between public authorities, public administrations, research bodies and industry sectors.

Learning Outcome

General course objectives: The aim of the course is to provide participants with a background for understanding the concepts of One Health and a thorough introduction to the challenges and opportunities related to the One Health approach. By mixing basic concepts and illustrative examples (e.g. zoonoses, drug resistance and chemical contaminants), the participants are introduced to epidemiology, source tracking, risk and disease burden assessments, intervention options, and cross-disciplinary prevention and control scenarios. Cross cutting issues such as critical thinking and risk communication will be included in all themes addressing health in relation to humans, animals and the environment. The acquired knowledge can be used to improve risk management decision making and facilitating solutions to the challenges.

Learning objectives: After the course, the participants will

Knowledge:

  • Understand the One Health concept and its cross-sectorial perspectives
  • Know and be able to describe One Health cases within various areas
  • Know of the main methods to analyse the impact on human and animal health issues related to microbial and chemical contamination
  • Know of the principles for prioritising intervention between different health issues
  • Know of the principles for identifying methods for prevention and control of infectious diseases, food safety threats, antimicrobial resistance and chemical toxins in food
  • Know of the advantages and challenges of applying One Health approaches in industry and public administrations

 

Skills:

  • Be able to apply various One Health methods to specific topics
  • Be able to discuss and respond to One Health issues
  • Be able to identify the roles, responsibilities and needs of key stakeholders in One Health challenges

 

Competences:

  • Be able to identify challenges that need One Health approaches to be solved or mitigated, and be able to contribute critically to the implementation of the One Health approach when needed

Be a valuable collaborator to stakeholders in One Health challenges by being aware of the core competences that each participant brings into the One Health collaborative groups

Will be provided to or found by the course participants through literature searches during the course.

Completed BSc degree
Mandatory Prerequisites: The course is relevant for master- and PhD students and postgraduates (employees) in the public health, food, veterinary and environmental sectors.
Active participation in the e-learning module is a prerequisite for on-campus participation.
During the e-learning-part, course participants will get familiar with One Health topics through theory and reading material, exercises and practical examples. The e-learning will focus on introducing methods commonly applied to understand and manage One Health challenges. Participants will discuss the One Health challenges as conceived in their own countries, and the course will be a good opportunity to expand professional networks. The e-learning module includes quizzes after each module and an interactive discussion forum.
On-campus learning is characterized by short introductions and in-depth discussions on one or more broad One Health topics. Participants will work in groups on selected case-studies, where the theory and acquired methods, will be applied. Each group presents its results for the rest of participants, which form the basis for plenum discussions at the final course days.
The programme includes excursions and social activities to facilitate networking.There will be social arrangements in the afternoon or evening depending on the course-participants’ interests and initiative.
As the target group span from Master students to postgraduates working e.g. in public health, food and/or veterinary science or administration as well as in the agricultural or food industry, there will be a balanced focus on knowledge sharing and theoretical and practical exercises and discussions.
The teachers and instructors are from UCPH, DTU and other national and international institutions of higher education and research, or from relevant administrative bodies or industrial sectors with specific international One Health competences and experience.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • E-Learning
  • 60
  • Seminar
  • 80
  • Total
  • 140
Credit
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Practical oral examination
Practical written examination
Practical written examination: E-learning module: online self-assessment
Practical oral examination: Oral presentation of case and opponent on other group’s presentation
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Exam period
Final course day i.e. August 21, 2015.
Criteria for exam assesment

The student must show convincing, confident and competent compliance with all stated learning outcomes.

Knowledge

  • Describe the One Health concept and its cross-sectorial perspectives
  • Describe One Health cases within various areas
  • Describe main methods to analyse the impact on human and animal health issues related to microbial and chemical contamination
  • Describe the principles for prioritising intervention between different health issues
  • Describe the principles for identifying methods for prevention and control of infectious diseases, food safety threats, antimicrobial resistance and chemical toxins in food
  • Describe the advantages and challenges of applying One Health approaches in industry and public administrations

 

Skills:

  • Apply various One Health methods to specific topics
  • Discuss and respond to One Health issues
  • Analyse and identify the roles, responsibilities and needs of key stakeholders in One Health challenges

Competences

  • Be able to identify challenges that need One Health approaches to be solved or mitigated, and be able to contribute critically to the implementation of the One Health approach when needed
  • Be a valuable collaborator to stakeholders in One Health challenges by being aware of the core competences that each participant brings into the One Health collaborative groups

Active participation in group work and evaluation of presentations. Attendance of at least 80 per cent is required in order to get the certificate.