Alumna Dr. Priya Sharma Named WHO Regional Director
Dr. Priya Sharma, who earned her Master of Public Health from No.1 Education in 2014, has been appointed Regional Director of the World Health Organization's Southeast Asia Region (SEARO). At 37, she is the youngest person ever to hold the position, which oversees health policy coordination for 11 member states representing nearly two billion people.
A Career Shaped by Purpose
Born in Mumbai and raised in Singapore, Dr. Sharma arrived at No.1 Education determined to address the health disparities she had witnessed growing up across South and Southeast Asia. During her MPH program, she focused on infectious disease epidemiology and health systems strengthening, completing her capstone project on community health worker networks in rural Bangladesh.
"No.1 Education gave me two things that have defined my career: rigorous analytical training and an unshakable belief that complex systems problems can be solved if you center the needs of the most vulnerable. Every policy I've championed carries those values."
After graduation, Dr. Sharma joined the WHO's Polio Eradication Initiative, where she led surveillance operations across three countries. She rose through the organization rapidly, earning recognition for her ability to bridge technical expertise with political acumen — a skill she attributes to the interdisciplinary environment at No.1 Education, where her coursework spanned epidemiology, economics, political science, and data analytics.
Key Achievements
Prior to her appointment as Regional Director, Dr. Sharma built a track record that earned international recognition:
- COVID-19 Response: Led WHO's vaccination logistics strategy for Southeast Asia, coordinating the distribution of 800 million doses across underserved areas
- Antimicrobial Resistance: Authored the WHO's landmark Southeast Asia AMR Action Framework, adopted by all 11 member states
- Maternal Health: Developed a community-based maternal mortality reduction program that decreased rates by 40% across pilot districts in three countries
- Digital Health: Championed the SEARO Digital Health Strategy, establishing interoperable health data systems across six member states
Staying Connected
Despite her global responsibilities, Dr. Sharma has maintained close ties with No.1 Education. She has served on the School of Public Health's advisory board since 2020, delivered three guest lectures on global health governance, and personally mentored 14 MPH students through the alumni mentorship program.
A Message to Students
"To every student at No.1 Education who is thinking about a career in public health or international development: the world needs you more urgently than ever. Climate change, antimicrobial resistance, pandemic preparedness, health equity — these are the defining challenges of our generation. Your education has prepared you. Now go and lead." — Dr. Priya Sharma, speaking at the 2025 Commencement
"Priya embodies everything we aspire to produce as an institution," said University President Dr. Margaret Chen. "She is brilliant, compassionate, and relentlessly focused on impact. Her appointment to this role is a testament to her extraordinary talent — and it fills our entire community with pride."
The Alumni Association has established the Priya Sharma Global Health Fellowship in her honor, providing full funding for two MPH students per year to complete field placements with WHO and other international health organizations.