New Chartered Fellow at CIEH reflects on his journey so far

Ahead of World Environmental Health Day 2025 (September 26), founding and now board member of the Saudi Arabian Environmental Health Association Hassan Alzain (pictured above left), talks about his journey from studying Environmental Health at Liverpool John Moores University to recently becoming a CIEH Chartered Fellow.

World Environmental Health Day reminds us every year of the shared responsibility to protect health and the environment, while uplifting the next generation of professionals who will carry this mission forward.

This has led me to reflect on my own journey, which started over 3,000 miles away and 13 years ago, when I left Saudi Arabia to begin my degree in Environmental Health at Liverpool John Moores University. What began as an academic pursuit soon evolved into a life-defining journey, guided by the power of mentorship, the strength of structured education, and a commitment to advancing global Environmental Health.

The journey has been eventful yet successful – I’d describe it as “13 years of robustness”, a phrase that captures the persistence, resilience, and collaborative spirit required to drive meaningful change in environmental health.

By using the knowledge and skills I developed, first at university and then through working with a mentor, I have been able to play an active part in Environmental Health with a particular focus on climate change and sustainability – whether this be as one of the founding and board members of the Saudi Arabian Environmental Health Association; author of over 35 published works and a book; successful patent applicant; or member of the Saudi Energy Leaders Assembly.

Now, that journey has reached a new milestone as earlier this year I was awarded the Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), becoming the first Chartered Fellow from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region to receive this recognition.

The moment was not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the transformative impact of education, mentorship, and international collaboration in building a resilient environmental health profession at a time when global health and climate challenges demand collective solutions.

For me, this recognition is also about valuing the people who stood beside me – in particular Graeme Mitchell at Liverpool John Moores University (pictured above, top right) and Jason Hall, a CIEH Fellow (pictured above, bottom right). I regard Graeme not only as a teacher but as a guider whose belief in my potential never wavered, and Jason as both a professional role model and an impactful mentor whose guidance shaped my career and character.

Their support went beyond academic or technical growth, becoming a journey of mutual respect and trust that made the 13 years possible. Professional excellence is rarely the product of individual effort alone. It grows when education, mentorship, and institutional support converge to cultivate professionals who can think critically, act ethically, and inspire others.

So, my story is not just about individual success. It is a collective achievement that demonstrates how the Environmental Health profession can empower resilience, amplify voices across borders, and shape a more sustainable and equitable future.

Of course, my journey is by no means complete. I look forward to addressing the challenges of the coming decades, playing a key leadership role in advancing global Environmental Health while inspiring and mentoring the next generation of professionals.