The Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) and the One Health Trust (founded as Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy or CDDEP) have agreed to establish a PhD programme in Data Sciences for Global Health to train graduates/postgraduates on current global health issues and cutting-edge research methodology, with rigorous fieldwork and data analysis.

The unique full-time interdisciplinary degree will provide advanced education in global health along with expertise in statistical/quantitative and qualitative skills to future students.

The faculty at BITS Pilani and OHT have vast research experience in communicable disease dynamics; antimicrobial resistance; vaccines and immunization; environmental health; gender, equity, and livelihoods; health and development; health systems; and economics.

The first cohort will begin coursework in July 2023. Students will take courses and conduct research at both BITS Pilani, Hyderabad, and at the Nimai Valley Center of the One Health Trust, set to open in January 2024. This programme is ideal for students who are seeking new roles as public health data scientists in government, nonprofit, and for-profit organisations in the public health and biomedical fields and working professionals already employed in such organisations who would like to use data more effectively to advance their missions.