Mysuru | 21st September 2026
The JSS Academy of Higher Education became a vibrant hub of interdisciplinary learning on 21 September 2026, as students took on the role of educators during the OHNI 2026 India One Health School Program (IOHSP) Peer Training. More than a day-long learning event, the program demonstrated how peer-led education strengthened awareness of the One Health approach while empowering future health professionals to think beyond disciplinary boundaries.
“We took the learning we received in our residential program in Gujarat, and translated it into One Health for our peers. I think we conveyed our point across as the room was vibrant with energy and a renewed sense of the ‘mindset’ of One Health.”— Dr Yashi Rastogi, One Health Ambassador
The peer training formed part of the broader India One Health School Program, led by the One Health Network of India (OHNI) through the Centre for One Health Education, Research and Development (COHERD) at the Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG), with support from Chevron and the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN). Together, the partners envisioned a future where students would not only learn about One Health but would also carry its message across campuses, communities, and professions.
India’s diverse ecosystems, extensive livestock population, rapid urbanization, and increasing risks from zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate-related health challenges made it a strategic priority for the initiative. Rather than responding only after health emergencies occurred, Chevron and SEAOHUN invested in preparing students to collaborate across medicine, veterinary science, public health, and environmental disciplines before future crises emerged.
The program adopted a powerful multiplier approach, training selected students as One Health Ambassadors, who then returned to their institutions to educate hundreds of their peers. At JSS Medical College, that vision came alive as students transformed from learners into facilitators, creating a learning environment where conversations flowed freely and knowledge became a shared experience.
“One Health is not just a concept—it is a way of thinking and working together. It was inspiring to see students move beyond disciplinary boundaries and recognise the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. As One Health Ambassadors, they have the potential to become catalysts for meaningful change in their institutions and communities”— Dr B Nandlal, Professor, Dept of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, JSS Dental College and Hospital.
A defining moment of the program was the panel discussion, “Beyond Boundaries: Human, Animal, and Environmental Health in Action,” moderated by Dr. B. Nandlal. The session featured Dr. Tongkorn Meeyam, Executive Director of SEAOHUN, and Dr. S. Yasobant, Faculty- IIPHG & Lead of the One Health Network of India, alongside other distinguished speakers, who highlighted how collaboration across sectors is essential to addressing emerging health challenges.
Their insights encouraged students to view health through a broader lens; one that connects hospitals, communities, animals, and the environment as part of a single, interconnected system.
Building on these discussions, the One Health Ambassadors led peer-driven sessions that explored the fundamentals of One Health, the human-animal-environment connection, and the importance of moving beyond traditional siloed approaches. Interactive roleplays, collaborative activities, and engaging games transformed complex public health concepts into practical learning experiences, ensuring that participants remained active contributors throughout the day rather than passive listeners.
“Being part of this program made One Health feel much more than a concept—it became something we could experience, discuss, and share with others. The interactive sessions helped me see how every discipline has a role to play in building a healthier future.”— Dr Ayushi Sinha, One Health Changemaker.
By the end of the program, the greatest transformation was not simply what participants had learned—it was what they had become. The peer training empowered students to move beyond the role of participants and embrace their identity as One Health Changemakers, equipped with the confidence to initiate conversations, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and carry the One Health approach into their future classrooms, workplaces, and communities.
The event reinforced a simple but lasting message: meaningful change often begins with students. When empowered with knowledge and leadership, they become catalysts who inspire others to protect the health of people, animals, and the environment, together.
