University at Albany and Albany Law School Join Forces on $1.6 Million International Health Law Project in the Middle East

ALBANY, N.Y., Oct. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University at Albany's Global Institute for Health and Human Rights (GIHHR), with distinguished faculty from UAlbany's School of Criminal Justice and Albany Law School, has been awarded a $1.6 million federal grant to improve international health laws through human rights considerations.

The two-year project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, will focus on creating an online distance-education program for Middle Eastern trainees involved in fields relating to law, health and civil society.

"This project marks the first major academic grant in which UAlbany and Albany Law School are working together to advance the synergies and affiliation existing between our two institutions," said UAlbany President Robert J. Jones. "This is a wonderful example of the impact of our faculty collaborations to leverage federal funding and influence critical areas of law and public policy—even on the international level."

The project will merge essential concepts from international human rights law and health law to provide trainings that address the health needs facing the Middle East. The grant represents the first major academic award UAlbany and Albany Law School have received together since it announced its affiliation in late September (the affiliation is contingent upon ABA approval).

"This is exactly the kind of work we intended to collaborate on through the affiliation of our two schools," said Alicia Ouellette, Albany Law School's President & Dean. "This is a grant that requires the resources and expertise of both schools, affirming that our sum is larger than our parts."

The Global Institute for Health and Human Rights was founded by Drs. Kamiar Alaei and Arash Alaei in 2012, with the mission of generating a deeper understanding of the intersection between health and human rights, and promoting innovative solutions to contemporary challenges in this arena. Through research, education, policy, advocacy and development, the GIHHR seeks to advance the understanding and protection of health and human rights in a theoretical, academic, practical, and ethical context. It strives to be interdisciplinary in both analysis of global health issues and in approach to addressing them.

Renowned human rights activists, the Alaei brothers are committed to generating a deeper understanding of the intersection between health and human rights, and promoting innovative solutions to contemporary challenges in this arena. In May 2015, Kamiar was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Founded by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, the awards pay homage to the immigrant experience and the contribution made to America by immigrants and their children. Additionally, the Iranian brothers were praised for their work by the World Health Organization while serving as AIDS doctors when they were imprisoned in Iran in 2008 for attempting to bring lifesaving treatments to that country's AIDS patients.

Along with the three partners, international scholars from McGill University and Oxford University will also participate in the project.

Educationally and culturally, the University at Albany-SUNY puts "The World Within Reach" for its more than 17,300 students. An internationally recognized research university, we offer 120 undergraduate majors and minors and more than 125 master's, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs. UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as atmospheric and environmental sciences, business, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, engineering and applied sciences, informatics, public administration, social welfare, and sociology taught by an extensive roster of faculty experts. With a curriculum enhanced by 600 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers.

Albany Law School is a small, private school located in the heart of New York state's capital that has educated legal leaders since 1851. As the oldest law school in New York, the institution offers students an innovative, rigorous curriculum taught by a committed faculty. It has an affiliation agreement with University at Albany that includes shared programs, and access for students from both schools to learn at one another's campuses. Several nationally recognized programs—including the Government Law Center and the Albany Law Clinic & Justice Center—provide opportunities for students to apply classroom learning to real situations. Students have access to New York's highest court, federal courts, the executive branch and the state legislature. With approximately 10,400 alumni practicing across the country and several continents, Albany Law's graduates serve as a vital community and resource for the school and its students. Visit www.albanylaw.edu.

Contact: 
Vincent Reda, UAlbany - (518) 956-8162 

SOURCE University at Albany

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