No knowledge is ever lost: My journey with the MSc in Global Healthcare Leadership programme

About the author:

Olukayode Fasominu is a Public Health Physician & Management Consultant. He currently serves as Principal at Volte Health where he spearheads engagements with governments and development partners across Africa on strategic investments in healthcare in the public and private sectors.  He is a graduate of the University of Ibadan and Cardiff University; he enjoys watching football and making scholarly contributions on a wide range of subjects.

No knowledge is ever lost. Knowledge can either be passed on or rediscovered. My late grandfather, and my father, both teachers, taught me this vital lesson early on.

Inspired by their wisdom and my quest for new knowledge, I applied for the executive MSc in Global Healthcare Leadership (MGHL) programme. Having previously studied for an MSc in Public Health from Cardiff University in 2014, I was seeking a different challenge and a programme that would also deepen my network as well as my appreciation for the concept of leadership within healthcare - especially given the uncertainties in our current world.

The programme has been transformative, offering knowledge that I’ve been able to apply immediately. For instance, I used insights from the third module on comparative health systems to help develop Nigeria's National Strategy on Genomic Surveillance.

Learning on the MGHL programme is intellectually challenging and practical. Each module ends with an assessment graded towards the final degree. In module 3, my assessment sought to use system thinking tools and frameworks to better understand the challenges and limitations with genomics and genomics research in Africa. I would argue that this has been the most challenging assessment to date. It required rapidly going in-depth with the concept of genomics and genomics research, formulating a problem statement, conducting extensive literature research to better understand the problem, synthesising the terabytes of new information, and drafting a cohesive 3,000-word paper. Despite the challenge I succeeded, as did my cohort.

A few weeks later, I applied my new understanding of genomics to a contribution to Nigeria's Genomics Surveillance Strategy. It was a serendipitous moment and one I revelled in. This experience reminded me of my grandfather’s words, “No knowledge is ever lost.” A sentiment that I have now carried forward into the third generation – me.

In module 5 on Health Innovation, we examined how innovation diffuses across healthcare ecosystems. For me, my role in the development of the strategy felt like a diffusion of knowledge itself. Beyond just learning and aiding knowledge diffusion, I have also been able to contribute to creating a responsive and resilient health system in Nigeria, aligning with government priorities.

I attest to the benefits of the holistic approach the programme is taking to “develop experienced leaders with the skills to deliver affordable, effective and efficient healthcare in complex global systems.” The MSc in Global Healthcare Leadership is indeed shaping the leaders who will drive innovation and bring about essential changes in global healthcare design and delivery.

I feel proud to be part of the second cohort on the MGHL programme. I am inspired, daily, by the contributions of my cohort to several endeavours they are involved in all around the world.