The appointment of North-West University (NWU) academic Dr Mpho Chipu as country coordinator for the International Conference on Public Health (ICOPH) 2026 is set to strengthen the presence of South Africa in global public health discussions.

Dr Chipu, a senior lecturer in the School of Nursing at the Mahikeng Campus of the NWU, will be responsible for connecting South African researchers and practitioners to the international conference, which brings together experts to address pressing health challenges through collaboration and innovation.

Describing the appointment as a significant milestone, Dr Chipu said it reflects both personal growth and professional purpose. “It represents not only a personal milestone but also an opportunity to serve as a role model for my family, colleagues and students. It affirms my belief that through faith, perseverance and self-belief, meaningful impact is possible.”

In her new role, she will mobilise local researchers, promote participation in ICOPH 2026 and facilitate international academic collaboration. This includes supporting potential partnerships between the NWU and the International Institute of Knowledge Management, the organising body for the conference.

Dr Chipu said she aims to use the platform to advance an ubuntu-informed approach to public health, while strengthening links between research, practice and policy. “ICOPH 2026 creates a critical space for South African scholars and practitioners to engage with global experts, exchange knowledge and explore innovative solutions to pressing public health challenges.”

Her appointment also highlights the growing research impact of the School of Nursing at the Mahikeng Campus, which continues to produce work focused on community engagement, caring science and the development of emerging researchers, despite operating in a rural context.

Dr Chipu encouraged aspiring public health professionals to embrace collaboration and mentorship, emphasising that meaningful impact in the field depends on a shared purpose and social responsibility.

Her appointment signals both individual achievement and the increasing recognition of South African institutions as contributors to addressing global public health challenges.

Dr Mpho Chipu