By: Melissa Dassrath - Editor at NextGenU.org

The inspiration for NextGenU.org -- the world's first free learning portal co-offering free certificates with distinguished university and governmental partners -- came from a Newsweek article in 2001. It focused on the potential for online education, and founder, Dr. Erica Frank, had a vision for democratizing education and began implementing that vision, seven years before Massive Open Online Courses were even whispered about. Many people, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, do not have access to health education or opportunities for professional development. As the first online platform to offer free, accredited higher education to anyone, anywhere in the world, NextGenU.org is removing barriers and making health education globally accessible.

By: Melissa Dassrath - Editor at NextGenU.org

The organizational values of NextGenU.org are meant to guide the inner conversations of our team members and promote open communication and understanding within the organization and, when put into practice aligns, with the value we provide to the public.

By: Melissa Dassrath - Editor at NextGenU.org

Every September, National Preparedness Month is observed to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies. This year’s theme is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.”

By: Melissa Dassrath - Editor at NextGenU.org

Newborn screening is a public health service that can help identify serious and rare health conditions in newborn babies. Screening is essential for the early detection and management of several congenital disorders, which if left untreated, may lead to cognitive impairment and/or death. Every September, there is a global effort to raise awareness of how newborn screening can improve long-term health and survival.

By: Melissa Dassrath - Editor at NextGenU.org

Caring for cancer patients requires an in-depth knowledge of the clinical practices and the current treatments, interventional, and pharmacological therapeutics and other targeted therapies available. The critical role of Nursing Oncology in the testing, treatment and care of cancer patients involves an understanding of pathology results and assessing patients pre-, during and post-chemotherapy or immunotherapy, and the treatment side effects.

By: Melissa Dassrath - Editor at NextGenU.org

With almost 500 million indigenous peoples living in 90 countries across the globe and speaking nearly 7000 languages, a major percentage of the world’s cultural diversity exists in these populations. The commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples acknowledges their rights, achievements, and contributions.

By: Melissa Dassrath - Editor at NextGenU.org

World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is part of a global campaign to raise awareness about how breastfeeding contributes to the survival, health and wellbeing of women and children, with the goal of galvanizing action on breastfeeding related issues. This year, the theme is “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility.”

By: Melissa Dassrath - Editor at NextGenU.org

Every 30 seconds, one person dies from a hepatitis-related illness. The urgency to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 is encapsulated in this year’s World Hepatitis Day theme, “Hepatitis can't wait.”

By: Jesse Ramkalawan - Instructional Designer at NextGenU.org

NextGenU.org is collaborating with International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Canada to offer the course: Building a Just Global Order. This course, developed by Dr. Mary-Wynne Ashford, will be NextGenU.org’s first humanitarian-focused offering.

By: Jesse Ramkalawan - Instructional Designer at NextGenU.org

Over one million people die from mosquito-borne illnesses every year. Mosquitoes transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, malaria, yellow fever, and Zika to human hosts. Uninfected individuals can easily become infected if bitten by infected mosquitoes.

By: Jesse Ramkalawan - Instructional Designer at NextGenU.org

On Saturday, May 8th, the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM) honored its first graduating class of 2021. The commencement ceremony, held at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, was also broadcasted live and can be viewed here.

By: Jesse Ramkalawan - Instructional Designer at NextGenU.org

Climate change has been a primary global concern for over three decades. Over time, numerous technologies and suggestions to ‘go green’ have been developed, including in the area of travel. While car manufacturers have made rapid progress to decarbonize their operations, environmentally friendly air travel is far from being realized.

By: Jesse Ramkalawan - Instructional Designer at NextGenU.org

Primary care is an essential aspect of healthcare service delivery. Tailoring these services to the needs of individual communities improves the overall quality and efficacy of the health system, contributing to a higher standard of population health. The Community-Oriented Primary Care course offered by NextGenU.org focuses on developing the skills of healthcare professionals to achieve these goals.

By: Jesse Ramkalawan - Instructional Designer at NextGenU.org

The beginning of the new year has ushered in a new ray of hope for humanity; on January 22 2021, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was entered into force, becoming binding international law.

By: Jesse Ramkalawan - Instructional Designer at NextGenU.org

Jinnah Sindh Medical University has trained health professionals for more than 45 years, and is now launching a partnership with JSMU’s APPNA Institute of Public Health and NextGenU.org.

By: Jesse Ramkalawan - Instructional Designer at NextGenU.org

Dr. Enegala, a graduate of the MPH offered through Peoples-uni, shares his experience and offers advice to interested students.

By: Jesse Ramkalawan - Instructional Designer at NextGenU.org

A major goal of NextGenU.org has been to provide globally accessible opportunities for education. Because of our collaborations with multiple partner organizations, this dream is becoming a reality.

By: Jesse Ramkalawan - Instructional Designer at NextGenU.org

Dr. Robyn Phillips-Madson, Founding Dean and Chief Academic Officer of Texas' University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine highlights the creation of the MPH program through partnership with NextGenU.org, and describes the high quality of this program and its role in the development of global public health.

By: Gareth Durrant - Creative Consultant at DSIL Global

Epidemiologists are badass, and until recently chronically underappreciated. Now the world knows we need their disciplinary knowledge during a pandemic. Who else is going to work with mathematicians to model infectious diseases? Not me.

But what about designers? What disciplinary knowledge are they bringing to the table?...