Victor Nyange is a multilingual medical doctor and public health expert. He has graduated from the Master’s Degree Programme in Public Health at the University of Eastern Finland. Currently he works as a Sub-National Health Cluster Coordinator at the World Health Organization.
It is almost a decade since my graduation. Since then, I have had an opportunity to work as a medical doctor, and a public health professional in my home country, Kenya supporting refugees from Somalia, then later took international roles in Darfur, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda amongst many other locations in the Middle East, Asia, eastern and southern Africa.
Amongst my interesting missions was serving in Syria in 2018. The formerly moderately resourced country was not prepared for the emergency. While working for a UN agency to support the rights of women, men, boys and girls to reproductive health services, I was able to initiate the minimum initial service package, which includes continuity of family planning, care for HIV, care for post-rape victims, and to a conservative community. The life skills achieved during my studies at the University of Eastern Finland were put into real practice.
Amongst the best part of education at UEF is the focus on independent and critical thinking.
Victor Nyange
UEF Alumni
With the knowledge and soft skills, I acquired during my studies at the University of Eastern Finland, I am privileged to support the coordination of national organizations, international NGOs and other UN organizations to customize the needs for emergency in Eastern Ukraine. With experience, I have learnt that every emergency is unique, and the local customs must be respected. The interpersonal skills that I acquired at UEF is what has made it possible.
Amongst the best part of education at UEF is the focus on independent and critical thinking. The studies are focused on personal development and quest for knowledge, which have been fundamental in my service to the humanitarian field. During my work on my thesis, I received great guidance and support from the highly skilled university staff, and those from the Kuopio University Hospital, providing hands-on experience in data analysis. Epidemiology and research have been useful in supporting outbreaks such as cholera in Malawi, Hepatitis E in South Sudan and supporting the COVID-19 response in Bangladesh, to name a few.
