Skardu, Pakistan: Prof. Dr. Abdul Matin, Dean, Faculty of Natural
Sciences & Technologies, University of Baltistan, Skardu, has secured an
international award under the World Meningitis Day 2026 Advocacy Fund for his
project entitled “Youth Against Meningitis: Awareness, Advocacy and Action for
World Meningitis Day 2026 in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.”
The project was selected through a competitive international review process
supported by the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF), United Kingdom, through
the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO), and is one of six
projects funded globally under the World Meningitis Day 2026 Advocacy Fund.
The three-month initiative, being implemented during August–October
2026, will focus on strengthening meningitis awareness and advocacy among young
people and communities in Gilgit-Baltistan. Planned activities include student
engagement, awareness sessions, educational outreach, advocacy activities,
social-media engagement and activities marking World Meningitis Day on 5
October 2026.
As part of the initiative, 20 student volunteers will be selected and
trained as World Meningitis Ambassadors to support meningitis awareness and
outreach activities among students and in local communities.
The University of Baltistan, Skardu will provide an important academic
platform for the implementation of major project activities, particularly youth
engagement, awareness and ambassador training. Faculty members and students
will have opportunities to participate in the initiative.
The project represents an important opportunity to promote
public-health awareness, youth leadership and community engagement while
strengthening the University's links with national and international
public-health networks. It also reflects the University's commitment to
interdisciplinary engagement in areas including public health, microbiology,
environmental health and One Health.
The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with relevant
educational institutions, health professionals, community stakeholders and
other partners in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The project is expected to contribute to greater awareness of
meningitis among young people and communities while creating opportunities for
future collaboration, research, capacity building and evidence-based advocacy
related to meningitis prevention and public health.
