It’s been 30 years since Dr Vandana Joshi stepped foot on the grounds of the University of Sydney to complete a Master of Public Health.
Vandana came to Sydney from India, where she had graduated with a degree in medicine.
She chose the University of Sydney after learning that the course would allow her to achieve her dream of becoming a public health practitioner so she could serve her people better.
“All the mandatory and elective units offered were well matched with my learning needs,” says Vandana.
“I studied health promotion across various settings such as developing countries, communities and facilities, as well as decision analysis and health economic principles.”
Taking on the world
Vandana credits her time at the University of Sydney as a formative experience that extended beyond the classroom.
“Every day I remember my learning not only from the classroom teaching, but the rich discussions, time spent in the library and the campus environment with my peers," reflects Vandana.
"Added to this, my stay in Australia was my first time away from my home country, which increased my resilience. I consider graduating in public health a turning point of my life.
"It has not only equipped me with key skills and knowledge, but it also taught me the right attitude towards work."
After graduating, Vandana worked in South Asia and African countries applying the principles of public health that she learned during her time at the University of Sydney.
“During my studies, I was focused on the impact of health systems and behaviour," says Vandana.
"Throughout my career I’ve been able to apply the public health principles I learned at Sydney including the triple nexus approach to addressing humanitarian, development, and peace efforts simultaneously in crisis and conflict-affected areas.
Vandana achieved her dream of returning to India to work as a public health practitioner with the Indian Ministry of Health as well as WHO India, USAID India and CARE USA and UNICEF India.
Vandana now works for UNICEF and lives in Sierra Leone after some time spent in South Asian countries. Working for UNICEF means being adaptable to change.
“A usual day at UNICEF can become unusual as the day passes," explains Vandana.
"It is packed with technical deliberations, advocacy work with policy makers and negotiation with donors, but the most gratifying part is spending time with communities.”
During her time for UNICEF, Vandana has worked across a range of crises including the tsunami hit Andaman Nicobar Island, the Ebola outbreak, the COVID 19 pandemic, the Mpox outbreak, the Sudan Crisis as well as helping to rebuild public health systems in Sierra Leone and South Sudan from years of civil war.
“In emergency settings, our days are long, lonely, demanding and at times traumatic," recalls Vandana.
"But situations require us to remain composed, calm, organised and to deliver no matter what the circumstances. Resilience, commitment, and adoptability are the key qualities of those of us that work for UNICEF."
Full circle moments
In 2018, Vandana returned to Sydney after more than two decades to receive the prestigious Sydney University Alumni Award for International Achievement, which Vandana describes as “one of the memorable days of my life”.
She will visit Sydney again later this year to be part of the graduation ceremony of her son Dr Srijai Joshi who has also completed the Master of Public Health degree.
Since the age of 10, Srijai dreamed of becoming a medical doctor and serving humanity like his mother.
“When he was small, he travelled with me to many states of India," reflects Vandana.
"By the time he was a grown up, he had witnessed me dealing with public health emergencies in multiple countries for UNICEF.”
Perhaps because of these formative experiences, after Srijai studied medicine he then went on to study public health at the University of Sydney.
For those considering studying public health, as both she and her son did, Vandana offers the following advice.
“I would advise new students that public health is an ever-evolving field," says Vandana.
"Every day you learn from people you meet in community and engage them in their health and wellbeing, making decisions that will have everlasting health benefits.”
