From April 9–12, 2026, UGHE students, alumni, and faculty participated in the 17th Annual Conference of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH), held at Hilton Hotel, in Washington, DC.

CUGH is a network of over 100 academic institutions, of which UGHE is proudly a member, dedicated to improving global health through education, research, service, and advocacy.

Since 2010, CUGH has hosted an annual conference bringing together researchers, educators, global health professionals, government agencies, multilateral organizations, private corporations, and university students across the globe to share innovations and evidence-based solutions to the pressing health challenges.

Under the theme “The Future of Global Health”, CUGH 2026 convened more than 1,800 participants from over 60 countries to address urgent and emerging global health challenges.

This 4-day event featured over 200 speakers, 40 panels, 500 abstract presentations, workshops, film screenings, and awards across different categories.

UGHE-led session at CUGH

The conference sessions spanned a broad spectrum of global health priorities: non-communicable and communicable diseases, health systems, and surgical care, alongside the social, political, and environmental determinants of health. It also covered planetary and One Health approaches, the science of translating research into policy, and forward-looking conversations about the future of global health.

During the panel, “Building Africa’s health workforce”, UGHE presented by Dr. Jonathan Abaho, discussed UGHE’s educational model and early priorities of CoMSA (Consortium of Medical Schools in Africa, launched in Kigali in 2025). The session also highlighted Rwanda’s 4×4 Reform, a national strategy to quadruple the health workforce and how UGHE supported this initiative, including offering a Master of Health Professions Education.

Dr. Abaho commented:

“The conference was an enriching experience and an opportunity to engage with global professionals, showcase our (UGHE) work, and contribute to meaningful conversations shaping the future of health workforce development”

UGHE abstract presentations at CUGH

UGHE faculty, students, and alumni presented 12 poster abstracts at the conference, spanning a diverse range of topics including global health leadership and education, health professions training, psychiatry and mental health, surgical care and patient outcomes, palliative care, non-communicable diseases, reproductive health, and community-based health initiatives. These contributions reflected the breadth of UGHE’s academic and research portfolio, demonstrating the institution’s growing footprint across multiple global health disciplines.

The Director of center for Gender Equity at UGHE, Tsion Yohannes, reflected:

“I am happy to have represented the Center for Gender Equity and the Institute of Global Health Equity Research at CUGH 2026. I shared our work on gender analysis in community-based palliative care in Rwanda. Our findings call for integrating a gender lens into the implementation, policies, training, and practice of palliative care,  and for designing tailored interventions that ensure both women and men receive the same quality of community-based palliative care.”

Dr. Tayechalem Moges & Dr. Oluwaseun Ojomo also presented a poster on the profile of Mastercard Foundation Scholars at UGHE. Focusing on the inaugural cohort of 40 Scholars, the presentation examined inclusion across gender, nationality, refugee status, and disability, and showcased UGHE’s partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in expanding access to graduate health professions education for young people across Africa.

Dr. Tayechalem, noted:

“The presentation gave us an opportunity to reflect on how the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is advancing access to graduate health training for young people across Africa, particularly those facing social and economic barriers. It also opened important conversations about representation in training programs and the role of higher education in strengthening an inclusive and locally grounded health workforce across the continent”.

One of UGHE’s medical students, Samuel Ishimwe, MBBS ‘28, describes his experience at CUGH 2026 as a meaningful and memorable moment.

“Presenting our research, ‘Towards Longitudinal Mental Health Diagnosis in Rwanda,’ at CUGH 2026 was a deeply meaningful moment. Our work explores how longitudinal approaches can improve diagnostic accuracy and support context-sensitive care. Beyond the presentation, engaging with diverse global health experts enriched my perspective in ways I did not anticipate, particularly around the concept of human security: understanding mental health not only as treatment, but as protection from fear, indignity, and vulnerability. Representing UGHE was an honor, and this experience has strengthened my commitment to collaborative, translational research and system-focused solutions for mental health in Rwanda.”

UGHE alumnus Dr. Jean Eric Niyitanga, described the experience as a rare opportunity:

“It’s just a few months after my MGHD graduation, and getting an opportunity to present my research at a global stage as CUGH conference is a rare opportunity for an early-career global health professional. I gained insights into the emerging global health challenges such as misinformation and how different innovators are developing solutions. I also expanded my professional network which is vital for career growth. I am grateful to UGHE for the invaluable support.”

UGHE Awardees at CUGH

During every annual conference, CUGH recognizes and awards individuals with exceptional contributions to global health in different categories such as leadership, research, education, and creative production that reflect global health themes.

During CUGH 2026, 4 UGHE students and Alumni were awarded:

• Elvira Ineza, representing Butaro Scholars Program titled, “Unlocking Rural Potential, impact of Butaro Scholars Program” won 2026 Dr. James G. Hakim Award recognizes emerging global health leaders from Africa.

Elvira reflects on her experience at CUGH:

“Being in Washington DC showed me that we can do more and our work is appreciated. it was inspiring to meet like-minded people who believe that education can be a transformative tool to give children in rural communities a bright future

• Olivier Hagenimana and Laura Ndanga won 2026 CUGH Global Health Video Competition Winner.

Their video, titled “Surgical Training in Global Health,” primarily highlights the high burden of surgical diseases in LMICs and the disproportionate shortage of surgeons in these regions, along with its impact on surgical care. Using evidence-based data, the video emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of investing in surgical training in LMICs and highlights the devastating human and economic consequences of inaction.

Olivier comments

“ Receiving this award at a global conference provided a platform for advocacy and reinforced the need to include surgical care in efforts to reduce global health inequities. This recognition has further motivated me to contribute to advocacy for surgical care and health equity using innovative approaches”

• Adelphine Umugwaneza won 2026 Multimedia Reflection in Global Health Contest/LMIC Trainee.

Her video, Beyond the Scalpel, reflected on how caring for patients should go beyond the role of an individual future surgeon, but also about the changes needed within the healthcare system to truly improve patients’ lives and experiences. It also reflected on the importance of NSOAPs (National Surgical, Obstetrics, and Anaesthesia Plans) as part of the efforts to strengthen surgical systems and improve access to safe and quality care.

Adelphine reflects on her award:

“Winning this award means a lot to me personally. As a student from Rwanda, it is encouraging to know that my reflection resonated with others and how my experience and voice could be a drive to change. It inspires me to continue approaching medicine with compassion while also thinking about the bigger picture and the kind of healthcare system we want to build for patients”

• Dr. Yvette Nkurunzi, UGHE MGHD Alumni (Class 2024), currently pursuing a PhD in Global Health at York University in Canada, won the 2026 CUGH Global Health Student Poster. Her research, which she conducted during her MGHD program, was “Assessing the Socio-Ecological Factors that Contribute to Intimate Partner Violence among People Living with HIV, in Kayonza District, Rwanda.” 

UGHE’s Growing Footprint in Global Health

UGHE’s participation in CUGH 2026 was a demonstration of the institution’s growing impact across the global health landscape. From leading a major session on Africa’s health workforce, to presenting 12 poster abstracts covering various global health priorities celebrating four award-winning students and alumni, UGHE showed up at every level of the conference.

These contributions reflect not only UGHE’s commitment to academic and research excellence, but also the global impact it is creating through the community it is building faculty, students, and alumni who are generating locally relevant evidence, advocating for equity, and shaping the future of global health from Rwanda and beyond. As UGHE marks its first decade, CUGH 2026 stands as a clear signal of what the next decade holds: a university that is not just training global health leaders but becoming one.