News from the Mission
Hubert H. Humphrey Program Offers Opportunity for Professional Development
Rehana Kader attends Public Health: Substance Abuse program in U.S.
July 23, 2007
Cape Town: Rehana Kader is a recently returned Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow who completed a highly successful program in the area of Public Health: Substance Abuse at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
The Humphrey H. Humphrey Fellowship Program sends accomplished professionals to the United States for a year of study and related professional experience. Fellows are selected based upon their potential for national leadership and commitment to public service.
She was accompanied by U.S. visitors from VCU, Dr. Randy Koch and his spouse Diane Wresinski. Dr. Koch coordinated the Professional Development component of Rehana’s program at VCU. A clearly upbeat and energized Rehana reported an experience that “exceeded all expectations.”
This was VCU’s first opportunity to host a Hubert Humphrey Fellow and is based on the strength of its public health specialties. In the field of substance abuse it has played host to a number of National Institute on Drug Abuse funded Humphrey Fellows.
A spin-off of this VCU experience is a collaboration between Rehana and VCU to develop a pilot project in Cape Town through a substance abuse consumer survey with a view to developing a mental health treatment facility that could serve a as a national model. This project could not be more timely when large sections of the Western Cape community is being ravaged by the scourge of substance abuse. Consultations with the Medical Research Council are already underway and will be furthered during Dr. Koch’s visit to Cape Town.
This project will serve the additional purpose of providing action research toward Rehana’s doctoral studies. Rehana is intent on revitalizing moves to establish an Alumni Association. As a first move in support of this initiative, her visit to the Consulate provided an opportunity to meet with departing Humprey fellow Saliem Haider, Director Waste Management, City of Cape Town who will be departing soon for the University of California at Davis.