Alumni Network

The HERO-HEALTH Alumni Network is envisioned as a growing international community connecting graduates of the Joint Master’s Programme beyond the completion of their studies.

Reflecting the programme’s interdisciplinary and international character, the network aims to bring together professionals from different academic backgrounds, countries and sectors who share a common interest in Humanitarian Action, Public Health, One Health, disaster preparedness, community resilience and inclusive crisis management.

Through the academic partnership between the University of Thessaly and Teachers College & Global Mental Health Lab, Columbia University, HERO-HEALTH provides a strong foundation for developing lasting academic and professional connections across institutions, disciplines and national contexts.

The HERO-HEALTH Alumni Network aims to:

• strengthen professional and interdisciplinary connections among graduates
• maintain long-term links between alumni, the programme and its academic partners
• encourage the exchange of professional experience, knowledge and good practices
• support continuing learning and professional development
• facilitate connections across humanitarian, health, civil protection, research and related sectors
• encourage collaboration in research, education and applied initiatives
• promote an international community committed to inclusive and evidence-informed responses to complex crises

HERO-HEALTH is designed around collaboration across disciplines and institutions. The Alumni Network will seek to extend this collaborative culture beyond graduation, enabling former students to remain connected with peers whose professional paths may develop across different sectors and countries.

Such connections can support the exchange of perspectives between humanitarian practitioners, health professionals, researchers, public-sector professionals, civil protection personnel and others working on complex Public and One Health challenges.

As the HERO-HEALTH graduate community develops, the programme aims to encourage activities such as:

• Alumni networking events and meetings
• Webinars and continuing professional development sessions
• Guest talks and knowledge-sharing activities
• Alumni–student mentoring and peer support
• Exchange of professional and research opportunities
• Participation in collaborative research and applied projects
• Contributions by alumni to programme events and educational activities

Graduation is intended to mark the beginning of a continuing relationship with the HERO-HEALTH community.

As the network grows, alumni will be encouraged to remain engaged with the programme, share professional experiences, contribute to academic and professional dialogue, and help strengthen connections between successive cohorts of students and graduates.

The programme’s international academic collaboration also creates a broader environment for exchange of expertise and interaction with contemporary developments in humanitarian action, global health and crisis management.