WHO Fellowships information booklet

Overview

WHO Fellowships Programme in the Western Pacific Region

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. Its objective, under its Constitution, is the “attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health”.

Under its Constitution, WHO is required:

• to assist governments in the strengthening of health services;
• to promote cooperation among scientific and professional groups that contribute to the advancement of health;
• to promote improved standards of teaching and training in the health, medical and related professions.

The WHO Fellowships Programme serves as a mechanism to support Member States in developing their human resources for health by strengthening institutional and individual capacity through training. A WHO fellowship offers individuals and groups a range of training opportunities with specific learning objectives and competencies, corresponding to approved country health and health-related plans, policies and priorities, and aiming at relevant impact in the context of national capacity-building. Training modalities vary and include academic degree or non-degree courses, research, technical training, professional development, observations, study tours and seminars; they may be on-site or virtual, short- or long-term in duration; and may take place in appropriate training institutions inside or outside the fellow’s home country.

Fellowships for individual studies are defined as awards for advanced study given to individuals who have been recommended by their governments, to prepare them for a specific assignment in their home country after completion of their studies.

The application for and awarding of a fellowship constitutes a joint undertaking by WHO, the host country, the fellow and the government, and a comprehensive training and development plan is available for reference; thus:

• WHO, in agreement with the government and the fellow, establishes appropriate plans for study, makes the necessary arrangements with countries and training institutions, and provides financial assistance;
• the host country (in cases of study abroad) agrees to provide the course of study prescribed for the fellow;
• the services of the fellow are placed at the disposal of the national health administration on return to the home country; and
• the government gives its assurance that it will make full use of the knowledge and experience gained by the fellow, and that the status, seniority, salary, pension and similar rights of the fellow will not be adversely affected by the fellow’s absence from duty in the home country.