More than 1,500 delegates from 90 countries will join the inaugural Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Forum: Health and Well-being which begins today.

Hosted by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, the forum brings together thought-leaders and experts from higher education to share research, ideas and solutions that address the global health conditions and diseases impacting human outcomes around the world.

The forum is part of a series of events on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) from THE, the global authority on higher education. The forum will address the role that universities can and should play in promoting sustainability and development to advance health and equity post-pandemic.

Today's keynote will be delivered by Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice Chancellor at University of Manchester, on COVID-19 as a catalyst for change (4:10pm GMT+1). Dr Beth Frates, Harvard Medical School and president-elect of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, will join a masterclass on optimising health and well-being using lifestyle medicine and positive psychology at 3pm (GMT +1).

Other highlights today include masterclasses on partnerships for improved global health; water and sanitation for better health; collaboration and capacity; innovation, impact and internationalist; and new approaches to student mental health.

Tomorrow's programme includes contributions from Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO; Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme; and Professor Adrian Hill, Director of the Jenner Institute, University of Oxford.

Duncan Ross, Chief Data Officer, THE, said: "Universities have a vital role to play in delivering the agenda of SDG3 – Good Health and Well-being. They can provide access to deep research, but also act directly in their communities as beacons of best practice. We hope that our Impact Rankings will continue to surface the brilliant work that higher education is doing, from across the sector and the world."

Professor Cathal Kelly, CEO, RCSI, said: "It is my great pleasure that RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is host to the inaugural THE University Impact Forum on Health and Well-being. We had greatly hoped to be able to welcome delegates to our Dublin campus, however due to the pandemic we will gather virtually instead for a thought-provoking programme on improving health outcomes and transforming lives. With a singular focus on health sciences, RCSI is purposefully committed to working to solve the greatest challenges of modern healthcare through world-class education and research. We take seriously our duty to use our expertise, knowledge and discoveries to inform and influence healthcare providers and policymakers and to foster improvements in health across the world."

The event will also provide exclusive insight into the metrics and methodology behind the THE University Impact Rankings with a focus on SDG3: Good Health and Well-being. The Global Goal for worldwide Good Health promotes healthy lifestyles, preventive measures and modern, efficient healthcare for everyone.

View the full programme and register here.

Join the conversation on social media using #THEglobalimpact.