International Health Innovation & Partnerships

Centre for International Health Innovation & Partnerships

The Centre for International Health Innovation & Partnerships (CIHIP) within the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ulster University is a global hub for health innovation and partnerships through research, education, and consultancy collaborations. As the first centre of our kind on the Island of Ireland our work strengthens health systems, modernises clinical practice, and integrates digital solutions.

Vision

To be a trusted international partner in collaborative innovation, developing sustainable health solutions that drive impactful research, shape effective policies, and enhance health efficacy worldwide.

Mission

CIHIP exists to advance global health collaboration by building interdisciplinary partnerships that foster research focused on medication safety, antimicrobial stewardship, and other critical health challenges. We aim to shape evidence-based practice, develop healthcare policies, strengthen health systems, and enhance clinical education through innovative solutions and collaborative knowledge exchange.

We are based within the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences on the Coleraine campus partnering with teams and institutions around the world.

Our Focus

We are at the forefront of global health innovation, focusing on key areas critical to improving healthcare delivery and outcomes worldwide. Through a comprehensive approach, CIHIP strives to address major health challenges by leveraging research, collaboration, and education.

International Partnerships & Knowledge Exchange

We strengthen international partnerships to co-develop health solutions and foster knowledge exchange, with a focus on using cost effective solutions to optimise medicines use globally. The centre collaborates internationally to share best practices, research findings, and innovative solutions to improve healthcare systems and outcomes.
Research & Health Systems Innovation

The centre focuses on tackling critical health challenges, such as antimicrobial stewardship and medicines optimisation, using a holistic approach that includes pharmacoeconomics and health economics. The centre leads research to improve medication safety and optimise the use of medicines, addressing issues like antibiotic resistance and strengthening health systems to meet global needs. Digital health solutions, including telemedicine and health records, are integrated to enhance care and system efficiency.
Consultancy & Policy Engagement

CIHIP provides expert advisory services on medicines regulation, policy development, and healthcare system strengthening, assessing the value of health interventions. The centre helps develop evidence-based policies that improve patient safety, healthcare delivery, and system efficiency, ensuring that economic considerations are central to effective medicines use and optimisation.
Clinical Education & Workforce Development

Our team designs tailored global training programmes, develops curricula, and facilitates faculty exchanges to enhance clinical education. The centre strengthens the healthcare workforce by equipping professionals with the skills needed to address healthcare challenges and make evidenced-based decisions in clinical practice.

About the Centre

CIHIP forms part of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ulster University and is dedicated to developing sustainable, co-designed solutions to global health challenges.

We collaborate through sector partnerships to generate practical solutions that improve healthcare access, quality and improve outcomes.

Strategic Alignment

CIHIP aligns with Ulster University’s Research and Global strategy, focusing on:

Advancing research excellence in health sciences
Enhancing internationalisation and knowledge exchange
Delivering impact through healthcare innovation and collaboration

We contribute directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being): Strengthening pharmacy and healthcare services
SDG 4 (Quality Education): Supporting international health workforce development
SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Building long-term, mutually beneficial health collaborations

Our Funders & Partners

We have received support and funding from a range of sources, reflecting the broad relevance and trust in our work.

Key funders and collaborators include:

Commonwealth Pharmacy Association (CPA)
Commonwealth Partners for Antimicrobial Stewardship (CWPAMS)
Global Health Partnerships (formerly known as THET)
England Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Global Health Fellowship
Northern Ireland Pharmacy Forum - CW Young Fund
Northern Ireland Department for Economy - International Science Partnership Fund
Ulster University Vice Chancellors Research Scholarship
Ulster University Research Development Fund ODA
Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) MISP programme
Medicines Optimisation and Innovation Centre, Northern Ireland
KNUST University Hospital Ghana
Department of Pharmacy KNUST University Ghana
American University of Madaba Jordan
Faculty of Pharmacy at the Universitas Indonesia

These partnerships support our shared vision of advancing health through innovation and collaboration.

Our Partnerships

At the Centre for International Health Innovation and Partnership (CIHIP), our global engagement operates across three key levels. We build country-specific partnerships, such as with KNUST in Ghana, to support system-wide improvements in healthcare delivery.

We lead programme-level initiatives, like the Global Excellence in Pharmacy Programme, to foster international collaboration in education and research. And we develop clinical and industry partnerships that translate innovation into practice across diverse healthcare settings. Together these partnerships reflect our commitment to co-creation, mutual learning and global impact.