Master of Public Health graduates
Two Decades of
Measurable Impact
Since 2004, BRAC JPGSPH has shaped public health practice across Bangladesh and beyond through education, research, and training.
Diploma in Midwifery Program Graduates
Research Projects
Skills-building Seminars and Workshops
Peer-Reviewed Articles Published in International Journals since 2017
Multi-Stakeholder Impactful Engagements since the School’s Inception
"There is no tool more powerful than education and no greater catalyst to bring about positive change"
— Sir Fazle Hasan Abed
BRAC James P Grant School of
Public Health (JPGSPH),
BRAC University.
The BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (BRAC JPGSPH) is the first school of public health established within a non-governmental organisation in South Asia a living testament to BRAC's founding conviction that health equity is a human right, not a privilege.
BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH), BRAC University was founded in 2004 in Dhaka, Bangladesh to address the unmet public health challenges particular to Asia, Africa and South America. The School's institutional partner is BRAC, the world's largest NGO, reaching over 100 million people in Bangladesh and working in 11 countries in Africa and Asia. It is at BRAC University, a premier higher education and development research institution. The School offers unparalleled real-life, community-centric teaching, learning and research experiences on critical and emerging national and global public health challenges.
Established
2004
Location
Dhaka, Bangladesh
University
BRAC University
Accreditation
UGC Bangladesh
Our Vision
A world where everyone, regardless of circumstance, can attain the highest possible standard of health.
We envision BRAC JPGSPH as a globally recognised institution of excellence that generates transformative knowledge, advocates for health equity, and inspires a generation of public health leaders who champion the rights and dignity of the most marginalised communities.
Our Mission
To strengthen the practice of public health through education, research, and policy advocacy.
BRAC JPGSPH strives to produce leaders and practitioners equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to tackle the complex health challenges facing Bangladesh, South Asia, and beyond — with a particular focus on equity, social justice, and the needs of underserved populations.
Our Founder
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed (1936–2019), founder of BRAC, was one of Bangladesh’s most influential development leaders and a globally recognised pioneer in poverty reduction and social development.
After witnessing the devastation caused by the 1970 cyclone and the Liberation War of 1971, Sir Fazle dedicated his life to helping rebuild Bangladesh. In 1972, he founded BRAC in the remote area of Sulla as a small relief and rehabilitation organisation. Under his leadership, it grew into one of the world’s largest development organisations.
At the heart of Sir Abed’s philosophy was a belief in the potential of people. He recognised that poverty was interconnected with health, education, livelihoods, gender inequality and access to opportunity. His approach therefore focused not simply on assisting, but on empowering people and communities to create lasting change in their own lives.
His commitment to education and knowledge led to the establishment of BRAC University in 2001 and, in 2004, the BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (BRAC JPGSPH) at BRAC University. He believed that education should encourage people to question, learn, innovate, and apply knowledge to real-world challenges.
This philosophy continues to shape the School today. Through education, research, and engagement with communities, BRAC JPGSPH seeks to develop public health professionals who understand health within its wider social and economic context and who are equipped to contribute to meaningful change.
Sir Abed’s legacy lives on not only through the institutions he founded, but through the people and ideas he inspired. His belief that lasting development begins by recognising and investing in human potential remains central to the School’s vision for a healthier and more equitable world.
Our Inspiration
James Pineo Grant
James Pineo Grant (1922–1995) was a distinguished American diplomat and international development leader who dedicated much of his career to improving the health and well-being of children worldwide. As Executive Director of UNICEF from 1980 to 1995, he became a leading voice in the global child survival movement.
Grant championed the idea that millions of childhood deaths could be prevented through practical, affordable and evidence-based interventions. Under his leadership, UNICEF expanded its focus on immunisation, oral rehydration therapy, breastfeeding, nutrition and other essential child health measures. He coined the term GOBI (growth monitoring, oral rehydration, breastfeeding and immunisation) to advance a ‘child survival revolution’.
His approach demonstrated how evidence, political commitment, effective partnerships and community-level action could improve population health. This vision was particularly relevant to Bangladesh, where community-based approaches have played an important role in improving health outcomes. Grant also met Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, whose national campaign to promote oral rehydration therapy reflected many of Grant’s principles.
The BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (BRAC JPGSPH), BRAC University, carries his name in recognition of this enduring legacy. Established in 2004, the School continues his commitment to translating knowledge into action and advancing equitable health and human development.
School Management
Meet Our School Management Committee
Research Strategy Committee (RSC)
At the BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (BRAC JPGSPH), BRAC University, our research activities drive evidence-based public health interventions, inform policy, and address critical global and national health challenges. Guided by our Research Strategy Committee (RSC), which is composed of senior researchers, scientists, and academic leaders, the School aims to generate high-impact scientific knowledge, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthen research capacity, and engage with the global public health community.
Our Strategic Focus Areas
Our strategic focus areas are built upon the following five strategic pillars:
- Research Strategy: Identifying emerging public health priorities and developing forward-thinking research agendas, including innovative fields such as digital health, health informatics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and genetic epidemiology.
- Research Implementation: Facilitating high-quality research projects across our multidisciplinary centres and hubs, securing competitive funding, and ensuring robust data practices.
- Research Communication: Disseminating findings through peer-reviewed journals, policy briefs, conferences, public webinars, and media outreach to ensure research leads to actionable change.
- Research Capacity Strengthening: Nurturing the next generation of public health leaders through structured mentorship, on-the-job training, and dedicated forums for early- and mid-career researchers.
- Research Collaboration & Networking: Strengthening national and international partnerships with government bodies, academic institutions, non-governmental organisations, and local communities.
Public Health Seminars & Events: We believe knowledge should be accessible. To that end, BRAC JPGSPH hosts monthly seminars, open to both academics and the wider public, where we share research methods, field experiences, and public health insights.
Monthly Public Health Webinars (Open to the Public): Organised by our research centres, hubs, and international partners, these monthly webinars address key public health issues, emerging research, and global health policy. They are open to researchers, practitioners, students, policymakers, and the general public worldwide. The platform is online and broadcast live on our official Facebook page.
Academic & Capacity Building Forums (Internal Events):
- In-House Research Seminars: Researchers share methodologies and innovative approaches across centres.
- Early and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) Forum: Provides a collaborative space for emerging researchers to share research learnings.
Resources
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