Background
Halil Ibrahim Durak - accomplished health professions education leader and public health expert with over 30 years of international experience across academia, accreditation, and global health systems. A pioneer in establishing Medical Education as an academic discipline in Türkiye, he founded the country’s first MSc and PhD programs in the field and has played a leading role in advancing quality assurance through WFME-recognized accreditation systems.
Dr. Durak has held senior advisory roles with the World Health Organization (WHO), including at the Azerbaijan Country Office and WHO Headquarters in Geneva, where he led and supported initiatives on health system strengthening, primary healthcare (PHC) workforce development, and universal health coverage (UHC). He has managed EU-funded projects, developed large-scale workforce training and digital learning programs, and mobilized approximately USD 15 million in international funding.
As Secretary-General and founding board member of TEPDAD, he has directed accreditation processes for medical schools across Türkiye and the region, contributing to the development and implementation of national standards aligned with global frameworks.
Dr. Durak also served as Professor and Chair of Medical Education at Ege University, where he led major curriculum reforms and established foundational academic programs in the field.
He continues to provide strategic guidance to the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at Qarabağ University, supporting curriculum design, governance, and faculty development in line with international standards.
Degrees
Ege University Faculty of Medicine — Medical Degree (MD) (1993)
Ege University Institute of Health Sciences — PhD in Public Health
Maastricht University — Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE) (2004)
Awards
Visiting Professor- Azerbaijan Medical University since 2022
Research Interests
Health Professions Education
Learning Sciences
Public Health
Primary Health Care