UC lecturer gets his face on a postage stamp in Thailand

Michael Sparks is a UC lecturer and the president of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE). IUHPE just held its conference in Pattaya, Thailand and to celebrate Thailand put Michaels face on a postage stamp.

Pretty cool way to celebrate in my opinion.

“You could actually go into a post office in Thailand and use a stamp with my face on it,” Mr Sparks said.

“While I was there I sent postcards home to my family using the stamp, it was quite surreal. It was a very kind and generous demonstration of their appreciation.”
Michael Sparks

Mr Sparks said “the conference was quite a big deal”, with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Kittiratt Na-Ranong attending the event.
Based in Paris, the IUHPE was established in 1951 and is a voluntary, non-government organisation designed to promote global health and to contribute to the achievement of equity in health between and within nations.

On the IUHPE board since 2004, Mr Sparks has been president since 2010 and has since “streamlined the organisation to make it ready for the 21st century”, including restructuring the board from 65 people to 12, and creating the first strategic plan for the organisation.

“It’s a great organisation to be a part of and an honour to lead. It’s the oldest, largest and only global health promotion public association.”

[Image by Michelle McAulay via UC Monitor Online]