Cross‑Country Surveys Completed in Mongolia and Bhutan
One of the most significant achievements this quarter is the successful completion of the national surveys in both Mongolia and Bhutan. These surveys represent a foundational component of the project, designed to capture a comprehensive picture of the current landscape:
- The current state of nutrition education in higher education institutions
- Institutional capacity to deliver NCD‑focused training
- Faculty readiness and professional development needs
- Gaps in curriculum, teaching resources, and practical training
- Perceptions of nutrition professionals regarding NCD prevention and management
The surveys were conducted across multiple institutions and stakeholder groups, ensuring a diverse and representative dataset.
Analysis Underway
Data analysis is now in progress, with teams in both countries working collaboratively to interpret findings. The analysis will:
- Identify common trends and country‑specific challenges
- Highlight strengths and opportunities within existing nutrition programmes
- Provide evidence for curriculum enhancement and training module development
Once completed, the results will serve as a cornerstone for the next phase of the project.
Focus Group Roundtable Successfully Conducted in Mongolia
To complement the survey data, a focus group roundtable discussion was held in Mongolia, bringing together experts from leading higher education institutions and professional organizations.
Participants Included:
- Faculty members from the Food and Nutrition Programme, School of Industrial Technology, MUST
- Faculty from the Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, MNUMS
- Representatives from the Mongolian Nutrition Society
The roundtable served as an open platform for dialogue, enabling participants to share insights on:
- The relevance and adequacy of current nutrition curricula
- Practical training gaps in preparing students for NCD‑related roles
- Institutional challenges in delivering modern, evidence‑based nutrition education
- Opportunities for strengthening collaboration between academia and public health sectors
The discussion generated valuable recommendations that will be integrated into upcoming project activities, ensuring that the project's outputs reflect local expertise and real‑world needs.
Bhutan Focus Group Discussion in Preparation
In Bhutan, preparations are actively underway to conduct the corresponding focus group discussion. The Bhutanese project team is currently:
- Reviewing and refining the FGD questions
- Identifying key participants from higher education institutions and public health bodies
- Coordinating schedules to ensure strong stakeholder participation
The FGD will be conducted in close collaboration with national partners, ensuring that the discussion reflects Bhutan's unique context, institutional structures, and public health priorities. This activity will provide qualitative insights that complement the survey findings and help shape country‑specific recommendations for strengthening nutrition education.
Why These Activities Matter
NCDs such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity are rising rapidly across Asia. Nutrition professionals play a critical role in prevention, early intervention, and community‑level health promotion. However, their effectiveness depends heavily on the quality of education and training they receive.
Next Steps
With major foundational activities completed, the project is now moving into a deeper analytical and developmental phase. Key priorities for the coming months include:
A Collaborative Path Forward
These efforts will guide the development of improved nutrition education frameworks that are responsive to the growing challenge of NCDs. The NUTRIHUBS4NCDs consortium remains committed to building lasting capacity in Mongolia and Bhutan through evidence-based action and meaningful international collaboration.