On June 21, EMPHNET celebrated the graduation of 14 interns from Cycles 3 and 4 of its 2025 Engage Internship Program, marking the completion of a journey that brought together aspiring youth and young professionals from nine countries to contribute to real-world public health initiatives while developing the skills needed to advance their careers and serve their communities.

Investing in the Next Generation of Public Health Professionals

Opening the ceremony on behalf of Dr. Mohannad Al-Nsour, EMPHNET's Executive Director, Dr. Nada Ahmad, Director of EMPHNET's Center for Communication and Health Promotion (CCHP), highlighted the importance of creating opportunities that connect academic learning with practical public health experience.

"The Engage Program is one of the important initiatives through which EMPHNET demonstrates its commitment to investing in the next generation and bridging the gap between academia and practical public health work," she said.

Addressing the graduates, Dr. Nada noted that EMPHNET views the program as a long-term investment in future public health leaders, adding, "We see our success in every step you take throughout your public health journey. Your success is our success."

Learning Through Practice

During the program overview, Meral Al-Gunaid, Senior Communications Officer and Engage Internship Program Coordinator at EMPHNET, highlighted the achievements and diverse backgrounds of the interns.

The 14 graduates represented nine countries: Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, the United States, and Yemen, and included undergraduate students, bachelor's graduates, master's students, and young public health professionals. Over the course of their three- to six-month internships, they worked across several EMPHNET centers and technical areas, contributing to initiatives related to public health emergency management, immunization, One Health, epidemiology, research, communications, workforce development, and disease prevention.

Meral also highlighted the program's long-term impact through the accomplishments of its alumni, many of whom have gone on to contribute to health systems strengthening in their respective countries. She also recognized the mentors whose guidance, expertise, and support remain central to the success of the Engage Internship Program.

Graduates Reflect on Learning, Growth, and Professional Development

Delivering the graduates' speech on behalf of the cohort, Dr. Ameera Ba-Fadhl reflected on the interns' experiences, achievements, and lessons learned throughout the program. She noted that balancing academic, professional, and personal commitments while adapting to new technical areas contributed significantly to the cohort's growth and resilience.

The presentation highlighted several projects completed by interns, including work on cervical cancer prevention and HPV vaccination in Yemen, humanitarian reporting, One Health initiatives, community-based surveillance, postpartum depression research, and public health emergency preparedness. Through these experiences, interns gained practical skills while developing a deeper understanding of how research, policy development, communication, training, and implementation contribute to improving public health outcomes.

"The dedicated mentors gave us their time, guidance, and expertise. They helped us translate classroom knowledge into real-world public health experience," she said.

Mentorship as a Cornerstone of the Experience

Reflecting on the role of mentorship in the program, Dr. Haitham Bashier, Director of the Public Health Emergency Management Center (PHEMC), emphasized that developing future public health professionals is a core part of EMPHNET's mission and culture.

"For us, the internship program is not an auxiliary part of our work. It is part of our culture and philosophy at EMPHNET."

Sharing her perspective as a first-time mentor, Maisam Ibdah, Project Manager at EMPHNET, described mentorship as a mutually rewarding experience for both interns and mentors.

"I learned from the interns as much as I hope they learned from me. This experience was not only for the interns, but also for the mentors."

Dr. Huda Hakim, Technical Specialist at EMPHNET, also highlighted the lasting value of mentorship beyond the internship period itself, noting the curiosity, initiative, and eagerness to learn demonstrated by the interns she mentored.

Alumni Share Their Journeys

The ceremony also featured reflections from Engage alumni, highlighting the lasting impact of the program beyond the internship period.

Among the stories shared was that of Dr. Mogahed Halaly, whose internship experience became a turning point after being displaced from Sudan. The experience later led him to join EMPHNET's Sudan Office and pursue a master's degree in Public Health Emergency Management through EMPHNET's training arm, the International Academy of Public Health (IAPH).

"Sometimes a single opportunity can change your life and shape your future," he said.

Dr. Nisreen Abukashawa also reflected on how the internship helped shape her leadership approach and strengthen her understanding of public health practice. Today, she serves as Head of Mission for CADUS in Sudan, leading humanitarian operations and emergency response activities supporting conflict-affected communities.

Dr. Ameera Ba-Fadhl also reflected on her experience as an Engage alumna and the role the internship played in her professional development. Today, she serves as Deputy Director of the Office of the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Hadhramout, Yemen, where she continues to support public health programs and services.

Reflections from the Discussion

The discussion highlighted the importance of mentorship, practical learning, and exposure to real-world public health work, while participants shared recommendations to further strengthen future internship cycles.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of the 14 graduates and underscored the value of meaningful internship experiences in preparing future public health professionals.

While the graduation ceremony marked the completion of the internship, it also marked the beginning of the graduates' journey as members of the Engage Alumni Network. Through the network, EMPHNET will continue to engage alumni by sharing professional development and career opportunities, training, and events, while fostering ongoing collaboration and connection across the public health community.

To learn more about the cohort's experiences, projects, and achievements, explore the latest issue of the Engage Newsletter here and the Engage Internship Program webpage here.