Fellowships

Fellowships

Fellowships

The WHO Fellowships Programme develops capacity in the Western Pacific Region with the aim of helping Member States achieve better health outcomes. The programme prepares health staff from Member States to take on leading positions in their health services through technical capacity-building, both in undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as short-term and long-term programmes.

The WHO Fellowships Programme contributes to the acquisition of technical knowledge and skills required of the health workforce that may not be available in the candidate’s own country. It encourages cooperation among scientific and professional groups and facilitates international exchange of medical and scientific knowledge. Finally, it promotes improved teaching and training standards in health, medical and related professions.

Award of a WHO Fellowship constitutes a joint undertaking by WHO, fellows, national health administrations of sending and receiving countries, and training institutions. Training can be provided abroad or through distance learning in the candidate’s own country where suitable facilities exist.

Four stages

There are four stages in the WHO Fellowships Programme.

  1. In the planning stage, WHO Representatives and their national health administration counterpart ensure that fellowships provisions are in line with national health plans and fill a human resources gap of the country.
  2. In the selection stage, fellowships with a duration of three months and above are advertised. Candidates submit applications online which are then forwarded to the Regional Office for processing.
  3. In the operational stage, selected applicants undertake their fellowship. As WHO fellows, they receive entitlements and obligations until completion of the programme. Fellows must submit copies of academic reports and progress reports.
  4. In the follow-up stage, fellows are required to submit final reports. Fellows are then mandated to serve in the national health administrations in their country.

Contact

 

 

Health Leadership Development Initiative (HLDI)

The Health Leadership Development Initiative (HLDI) is a collaborative fellowship programme aimed at developing country-specific leadership capacity. Fellows are exposed to the work of WHO and other international health development partners in supporting countries to achieve their health goals.

Mid-career professionals in national or sub-national health services, research institutions or academia can apply to become HLDI fellows.

Candidates should meet the following criteria:

  • Be a national of a country in the WHO Western Pacific Region
  • Possess an advanced degree (masters level) in health sciences or a public health-related field
  • Have minimum three years of relevant professional work experience
  • Be fluent in written and spoken English (IELTS at least 6)
  • Not more than 35 years of age
  • Possess computer literacy in standard software applications
  • Have the ability to interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs

WHO, donors and the respective governments select applicants based on the above criteria. A recommendation of the most appropriate candidate is given to the Regional Director for his or her consideration and approval.

HLDI fellows make a commitment to return to their home country and to place their services at the disposal of their national health administration immediately after the end of their fellowship.

Study tours

A study tour is a form of fellowship in which a group of health workers or scientists visits one or more countries to study local problems and methods of dealing with them. It is a fact-finding mission, an educational experience and an opportunity to establish international linkages and collaborations. Study tours can also take the form of tailor-made short-term training courses.

 

In order to be eligible, candidates must be health workers or scientists in good health that have been nominated by their national health administrations. Candidates are typically not over 55 years of age. Once selected, they are required to follow the authorized itinerary and submit a final report describing their findings and impressions.

 

fel_study_tour2_120x90px
fel_study_tour2_120x90px
fel_study_tour2_120x90px
 

 

Host institutions

WHO maintains a database of host institutions where fellows are placed; however, applicants may consider other credible institutions that meet WHO standards. Following is a short list of institutions where fellows have been placed recently.