Exploring career opportunities in Public Health: The role of data analysts and community engagement at Curtin University Malaysia
By Professor Dr Roy Rillera Marzo
As Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences at Curtin University Malaysia, with 17 years in academia and a deep passion for research, I’ve witnessed the profound impact public health professionals have on healthcare systems and communities. Public health, particularly in the realms of data analysis and community engagement, are rapidly evolving fields that offer exciting career opportunities. Today, I want to explore these fields, sharing my insights on how Curtin Malaysia is shaping future health leaders who are ready to address the complex health challenges of our time.
The growing role of health data analysts
The world is increasingly driven by data. In healthcare, data is revolutionising the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. Health data analysts are at the forefront of this revolution, using data to optimise healthcare systems, improve patient outcomes, and inform evidence-based public health policies. Health data analysts work with a wide variety of data, including electronic health records, medical images, patient surveys, and even government health statistics. By transforming this complex data into actionable insights, they help organisations make informed decisions that directly impact patient care.
As a public health expert, I have seen first-hand how critical data is in shaping effective health interventions. During a large-scale health assessment project I led, data from electronic health records allowed us to identify at-risk populations and target interventions more efficiently. This data-driven approach not only improved health outcomes but also highlighted the importance of health data analysts in making healthcare more personalised and efficient.
At Curtin University Malaysia, we emphasise the importance of health data analysis in our public health curriculum. Our students are equipped with the tools to analyse complex datasets and use them to drive real-world health solutions. The demand for skilled health data analysts is growing globally, and our graduates are well-prepared to enter this vital field.
Career paths in public health: A world of opportunities
A degree in public health opens doors to a variety of rewarding career paths. As public health challenges evolve, so too do the roles within the health sector. Below are some of the dynamic careers available to public health graduates:
- Health data analysts: These professionals use data to inform decisions in hospitals, clinics, and governmental health agencies. They help optimise patient care by providing insights into treatment efficacy, patient behaviour, and health trends.
- Public health specialists: These experts are involved in disease prevention, health education, and the development of public health policies. They work to address health inequities and improve population health through targeted interventions.
- Healthcare administrators and managers: These leaders ensure that healthcare institutions are running efficiently, with a focus on patient-centred care, financial sustainability, and effective resource management.
- Community health workers: Community health workers directly engage with local populations, delivering health education, managing health interventions, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services. Curtin University Malaysia provides an education that prepares students for these diverse roles. Our public health programs are designed to be both comprehensive and flexible, ensuring that students are ready to enter a variety of health-related careers. Whether in hospitals, research institutions, government agencies, or NGOs, our graduates are equipped to make a meaningful impact.
Curtin University Malaysia provides an education that prepares students for these diverse roles. Our public health programs are designed to be both comprehensive and flexible, ensuring that students are ready to enter a variety of health-related careers. Whether in hospitals, research institutions, government agencies, or NGOs, our graduates are equipped to make a meaningful impact.
How Curtin University Malaysia prepares students for these careers
At Curtin University Malaysia, we take pride in our rigorous and hands-on approach to public health education. As someone who has led several public health initiatives, I know that real-world experience is just as important as academic knowledge. That’s why our programs emphasise community engagement and practical training alongside classroom learning.
Students in our public health programs participate in fieldwork opportunities and research projects that connect them with healthcare providers, government health departments, and non-profit organisations. These experiences are designed to deepen their understanding of the real-world challenges and opportunities in public health. Our faculty members, many of whom are renowned researchers and practitioners, mentor students throughout their studies, ensuring that they are not only learning from textbooks but also from experts in the field.
Community engagement: Bringing public health to life
One of the core strengths of Curtin University Malaysia’s public health programs is our emphasis on community engagement. This is an area that has shaped my own career as a public health professional. Early in my career, I had the opportunity to lead a community health program in a rural area, where we used data to identify health needs and implement targeted interventions. The impact was profound: we saw improved vaccination rates, better maternal health outcomes, and an increased sense of community ownership over health initiatives.
At Curtin, we ensure that students have the opportunity to engage with local communities through service-learning projects, fieldwork, and partnerships with public health organisations. These experiences help students apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings and provide them with the skills to design and implement public health interventions that make a lasting difference.
The benefits of studying health sciences at Curtin University Malaysia
Curtin University Malaysia offers a unique environment for students to pursue their studies in health sciences. Our programs are globally recognised, and we provide students with access to world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and cutting-edge research. But what truly sets us apart is our commitment to producing graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also compassionate and community-focused.
Our students graduate with a comprehensive understanding of the social determinants of health, the role of data in healthcare, and the importance of effective community engagement. Whether they choose to pursue careers in health data analysis, public health, healthcare management, or community health, our graduates are well-equipped to lead and innovate in the field of health sciences.
Conclusion: Preparing the next generation of health leaders
The role of health data analysts and the importance of community engagement are critical to the future of public health. At Curtin University Malaysia, we are proud to offer a program that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities in these fields. Our graduates are equipped not only with the technical skills needed to analyse health data and drive policy but also with the hands-on experience necessary to engage with and serve communities effectively.
As someone who has spent decades in public health, I can confidently say that a career in health sciences, particularly in public health, is one of the most rewarding and impactful paths you can take. It offers the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives, whether through improving healthcare systems, addressing health inequities, or directly impacting community health. If you are passionate about creating positive change and want to be part of a growing and dynamic field, I invite you to explore the public health programs at Curtin University Malaysia. Our programs provide the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to shape the future of healthcare. Together, we can build a healthier, more equitable future.
Professor Dr Roy Rillera Marzo
Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences
Director, Globesync Community Research and Sustainability Hub
Curtin University Malaysia
