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Imagine this: studying public health in a vibrant city with stunning sunsets, where cultural experiences intertwine with the wonders of nature. This is Darwin, Australia, and it's also the home of Menzies School of Health Research, a world leader in global and tropical health research.
For almost 40 years, Menzies has been at the forefront of the fight against life-threatening diseases. Their impact is undeniable, with over 150 ongoing research projects and programs tackling some of the world's most pressing health challenges.
When you choose Menzies for your postgraduate education, you're choosing to learn from the best. Lecturers and research supervisors are dedicated experts who share their knowledge and experience through Charles Darwin University's (CDU) public health and health research courses.
Regardless of your chosen program, you will be equipped to address the most critical public health challenges facing the world today. These challenges include health inequities, environmental changes, current and emerging infectious and chronic diseases, and reducing burdens on healthcare services.
As postgraduate studies are demanding, the Menzies Education Team provides comprehensive support to students both academically and personally. They help students achieve a healthy work-life balance and graduate with a world-class degree, all while enjoying the unique lifestyle that Darwin offers.
Menzies offers a diverse range of programs
Why study at Menzies?
One of the things that sets Menzies apart is its close-knit community. Class sizes are small and lecturers get to know their students on a personal level. They understand that each student has distinct strengths and weaknesses and tailor their approach to accommodate those differences. This personalised approach allows students to collaborate with world-leading experts from a very early stage in their careers — something even online students experience.
Dr. Mascha Friderichs, who teaches public health and Indigenous health, organises live-streamed class sessions so that all her students feel included - “not just the ones on campus."
Learning here is as experiential, as it’s inclusive — something Dr. Benedikt Ley, who teaches epidemiology and biostatistics, advocates. "I try to offer my students hands-on experience in the classroom," he says. "Both epidemiology and biostatistics are very practical subjects in the classroom, very hands-on. I'm a strong believer that an interesting learning experience results in much better learning outcomes."
The Menzies Education Team have no shortage of insights and anecdotes that bring their modules to life.
“Our group of lecturers are very special because they've got really good academic qualifications and many of them have got amazing experience and are genuinely interested in teaching,” says Dr. Sharon Chirgwin, the Associate Dean of Menzies Education. “They actually care about the students.”
Caring professors
A focus on learning, not just grades
At Menzies, the aim is to understand the subject matter as deeply as possible. For example, Dr. Friderichs uses her background as a physiotherapist and an anthropologist to show students how public health professionals view the healthcare system from a broader perspective.
She emphasises that mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth and assessments are used as tools to enhance understanding, not just to measure achievement.
"We're all here to learn, you can make mistakes and ask questions. It's not the destination, it's the journey,” she says.
A world of expertise at your fingertips
The team at Menzies is another key differentiator. They are academics and accomplished professionals with extensive experience in the field. Many come from diverse backgrounds. and have worked in various countries across Africa and Asia. This global perspective allows them to bring the latest developments and crucial insights into the classroom, enriching the curriculum and exposing students to a wider range of public health challenges.
Darwin: A gateway to learning with global impact
The geographical location of Menzies adds another layer of richness to the learning experience. Situated in Darwin, the capital city of Australia's Northern Territory, the school offers a useful lens to view public health issues — something Sharon Thompson, the Education Coordinator, can attest to.
"The main point of difference of the Public Health and Health Research Program is that being based in Darwin in the north of Australia provides us with a distinct perspective on all local, national, and global public health issues," she says.
Darwin, with its proximity to Southeast Asia and its diverse population, serves as a microcosm of global health concerns. Students get to learn from real-world examples, from tackling infectious diseases prevalent in the region to addressing the health disparities faced by Indigenous Australians. This exposure allows them to develop a broader understanding of public health issues and prepares them to contribute to meaningful research that can have a global impact.
“The program stands out for its flexibility and wide range of issues covered,” says lecturer Dr Fazeela Waheed. “Plus, Menzies has a reputation for conducting quality research and education and the work they undertake is done in collaboration with the community.”
Caring professors
One of the things that sets Menzies apart is its close-knit community. Class sizes are small and lecturers get to know their students on a personal level. They understand that each student has distinct strengths and weaknesses and tailor their approach to accommodate those differences. This personalised approach allows students to collaborate with world-leading experts from a very early stage in their careers — something even online students experience.
Dr. Mascha Friderichs, who teaches public health and Indigenous health, organises live-streamed class sessions so that all her students feel included - “not just the ones on campus."
“Our group of lecturers are very special because they've got really good academic qualifications and many of them have got amazing experience and are genuinely interested in teaching,” says Dr. Sharon Chirgwin, the Associate Dean of Menzies Education. “They actually care about the students.”
Learning here is as experiential, as it’s inclusive — something Dr. Benedikt Ley, who teaches epidemiology and biostatistics, advocates. "I try to offer my students hands-on experience in the classroom," he says. "Both epidemiology and biostatistics are very practical subjects in the classroom, very hands-on. I'm a strong believer that an interesting learning experience results in much better learning outcomes." The Menzies Education Team have no shortage of insights and anecdotes that bring their modules to life.
A focus on learning, not just grades
At Menzies, the aim is to understand the subject matter as deeply as possible. For example, Dr. Friderichs uses her background as a physiotherapist and an anthropologist to show students how public health professionals view the healthcare system from a broader perspective.
She emphasises that mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth and assessments are used as tools to enhance understanding, not just to measure achievement.
"We're all here to learn, you can make mistakes and ask questions. It's not the destination, it's the journey,” she says.
A world of expertise at your fingertips
The team at Menzies is another key differentiator. They are academics and accomplished professionals with extensive experience in the field. Many come from diverse backgrounds. and have worked in various countries across Africa and Asia. This global perspective allows them to bring the latest developments and crucial insights into the classroom, enriching the curriculum and exposing students to a wider range of public health challenges.
“The program stands out for its flexibility and wide range of issues covered,” says lecturer Dr Fazeela Waheed. “Plus, Menzies has a reputation for conducting quality research and education and the work they undertake is done in collaboration with the community.”
Darwin: A gateway to learning with global impact
The geographical location of Menzies adds another layer of richness to the learning experience. Situated in Darwin, the capital city of Australia's Northern Territory, the school offers a useful lens to view public health issues — something Sharon Thompson, the Education Coordinator, can attest to.
"The main point of difference of the Public Health and Health Research Program is that being based in Darwin in the north of Australia provides us with a distinct perspective on all local, national, and global public health issues," she says.
Darwin, with its proximity to Southeast Asia and its diverse population, serves as a microcosm of global health concerns. Students get to learn from real-world examples, from tackling infectious diseases prevalent in the region to addressing the health disparities faced by Indigenous Australians. This exposure allows them to develop a broader understanding of public health issues and prepares them to contribute to meaningful research that can have a global impact.
Caring professors
One of the things that sets Menzies apart is its close-knit community. Class sizes are small and lecturers get to know their students on a personal level. They understand that each student has distinct strengths and weaknesses and tailor their approach to accommodate those differences. This personalised approach allows students to collaborate with world-leading experts from a very early stage in their careers — something even online students experience.
Dr. Mascha Friderichs, who teaches public health and Indigenous health, organises live-streamed class sessions so that all her students feel included - “not just the ones on campus."
Learning here is as experiential, as it’s inclusive — something Dr. Benedikt Ley, who teaches epidemiology and biostatistics, advocates. "I try to offer my students hands-on experience in the classroom," he says. "Both epidemiology and biostatistics are very practical subjects in the classroom, very hands-on. I'm a strong believer that an interesting learning experience results in much better learning outcomes."
The Menzies Education Team have no shortage of insights and anecdotes that bring their modules to life.
“Our group of lecturers are very special because they've got really good academic qualifications and many of them have got amazing experience and are genuinely interested in teaching,” says Dr. Sharon Chirgwin, the Associate Dean of Menzies Education. “They actually care about the students.”
At Menzies, the aim is to understand the subject matter as deeply as possible. For example, Dr. Friderichs uses her background as a physiotherapist and an anthropologist to show students how public health professionals view the healthcare system from a broader perspective.
She emphasises that mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth and assessments are used as tools to enhance understanding, not just to measure achievement.
A focus on learning, not just grades
"We're all here to learn, you can make mistakes and ask questions. It's not the destination, it's the journey,” she says.
A world of expertise at your fingertips
The team at Menzies is another key differentiator. They are academics and accomplished professionals with extensive experience in the field. Many come from diverse backgrounds. and have worked in various countries across Africa and Asia. This global perspective allows them to bring the latest developments and crucial insights into the classroom, enriching the curriculum and exposing students to a wider range of public health challenges.
Darwin: A gateway to learning with global impact
The geographical location of Menzies adds another layer of richness to the learning experience. Situated in Darwin, the capital city of Australia's Northern Territory, the school offers a useful lens to view public health issues — something Sharon Thompson, the Education Coordinator, can attest to.
"The main point of difference of the Public Health and Health Research Programme is that being based in Darwin in the north of Australia provides us with a distinct perspective on all local, national, and global public health issues," she says.
Darwin, with its proximity to Southeast Asia and its diverse population, serves as a microcosm of global health concerns. Students get to learn from real-world examples, from tackling infectious diseases prevalent in the region to addressing the health disparities faced by Indigenous Australians. This exposure allows them to develop a broader understanding of public health issues and prepares them to contribute to meaningful research that can have a global impact.
“The programme stands out for its flexibility and wide range of issues covered,” says lecturer Dr Fazeela Waheed. “Plus, Menzies has a reputation for conducting quality research and education and the work they undertake is done in collaboration with the community.”
Menzies graduates leave the program not just with a degree but with the confidence and skills to make a significant impact on the world. They secure positions in national and international health services and government ministries, becoming public health leaders, program planners, analysts, evaluators, and health policy officers.
If you're passionate about making a difference in global health and eager to learn from the best in a tropical paradise, then Menzies School of Health Research is the perfect place for you.