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UEL and THT team up to launch unique new certificate in gay men’s health promotion

Tuesday 11 July 2006

The University of East London (UEL) is launching a new University Certificate in Gay Men’s Health Promotion in collaboration with Terence Higgins Trust, the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity.

The innovative one-year programme is designed for people interested in or already working in and around the field of gay men’s health promotion, enabling them to develop relevant skills and competency whilst increasing their understanding of key issues currently shaping debate in the field.

Areas of study will include positive mental health, current health policies and strategies, stigma and discrimination, epidemiology of HIV, basic research methods, and cultural and historical perspectives of gay men’s health promotion.

Students will also learn about the variety of professional opportunities within the field, before going on to a supported and structured work placement during their second semester at either Terence Higgins Trust or one of its professional partner organisations. Students will be able to build valuable experience in professional areas including campaign development, resource production, training, and editorial, outreach and research work.

The new programme is led by Ilana Morrissey, Senior Lecturer in UEL's School of Health and Bioscience, and Gerard McGuickin, Sector Development Manager at Terence Higgins Trust.

Ilana Morrissey said: “This innovative collaboration between UEL and the Terence Higgins Trust will enable students to gain both an academic and a professional grounding in the areas most central to the field of gay men’s health promotion. It’s a terrific opportunity for career development within this important sector of public health, especially as students will be matched with interesting and challenging work placements that build on their own professional interests and goals.”

Gerard added: “We are very excited about collaborating with the University of East London on this pioneering new programme. The programme centres on developing skills, abilities and knowledge related to gay men’s health promotion. It could in effect open the door to a career in the sector, or could help to support a person’s career development if already working in the sector.”

The University Certificate in Gay Men’s Health Promotion will begin at UEL’s Stratford campus this September. For further information, contact Gerard McGuickin on 020 7812 1788 or gerard.mcguickin@tht.org.uk or Ilana Morrissey on 020 8223 4535 or i.morrissey@uel.ac.uk.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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