The WHO Fellowships Programme in the Western Pacific Region supports health workers and scientists through technical training, academic study, international exchange and professional development. The programme can include undergraduate or postgraduate study, short- and long-term training, distance learning and study tours, depending on national health priorities and approved fellowship arrangements.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Fellowships Programme provides a structured opportunity for health professionals and scientists from Member States in the Western Pacific Region to strengthen technical knowledge and skills that may not be available in their home countries.
The programme is designed to help participating countries develop their health workforce and prepare health staff for leadership roles within national health services. Training may take place internationally or through distance learning where suitable facilities are available in the candidate’s country.
Background & Fellowship Description
The WHO Fellowships Programme is focused on capacity building in health and related professions across the Western Pacific Region.
According to the information provided by WHO, fellowships can support technical capacity-building through:
- Undergraduate courses
- Postgraduate courses
- Short-term programmes
- Long-term programmes
- Distance learning
- International training opportunities
The programme also promotes cooperation between scientific and professional groups and facilitates international exchange of medical and scientific knowledge.
A WHO Fellowship is described as a joint undertaking involving WHO, the fellow, the national health administration of the sending country, the receiving country where applicable, and the training institution.
This means the programme is closely connected to national health workforce priorities rather than being simply an individual study-abroad scholarship.
Objectives of the WHO Fellowships Programme
The programme has several important objectives.
Strengthening Health Workforce Capacity
Fellowships help health staff acquire specialized technical knowledge and practical skills that may not be readily available in their own countries.
Developing Future Health Leaders
The programme aims to prepare health professionals to take on leading positions within their national health services.
Promoting International Knowledge Exchange
Participants have opportunities to learn from health, medical and scientific institutions in other countries and establish professional connections.
Improving Training Standards
WHO also identifies improved teaching and training standards in health, medical and related professions as an important contribution of the programme.
Who Can Participate?
The source indicates that the programme is intended primarily for health staff from Member States in the Western Pacific Region.
Eligibility and selection are connected to national health priorities and the needs identified by the relevant national health administration.
For study tours, candidates must be health workers or scientists in good health and must be nominated by their national health administrations.
The source states that study-tour candidates are typically not over 55 years of age.
Because fellowship arrangements can vary according to the programme, duration and country, prospective applicants should confirm their eligibility through the relevant national health administration and WHO process.
Four Stages of the WHO Fellowship Programme
WHO describes four main stages.
1. Planning Stage
During planning, WHO Representatives and their counterparts in national health administrations work together to ensure that fellowship opportunities correspond with national health plans.
The objective is to address identified gaps in the country’s health workforce.
2. Selection Stage
For fellowships lasting three months or longer, opportunities are advertised and eligible candidates submit applications online.
Applications are subsequently forwarded to the WHO Regional Office for processing.
The information provided does not give one universal application deadline for all fellowships. Dates therefore depend on the relevant fellowship opportunity.
3. Operational Stage
Successful applicants undertake their approved fellowship programme.
During this stage, fellows have specific entitlements and obligations and are expected to complete the approved training.
Fellows must also submit academic and progress reports as required.
4. Follow-Up Stage
After completing the fellowship, participants are required to submit final reports.
The programme also states that fellows are subsequently mandated to serve in the national health administrations in their country.
This reinforces the programme’s focus on strengthening national health systems.
Study Tours
The WHO Fellowships Programme also includes study tours, which are a form of fellowship designed for groups of health workers or scientists.
A study tour can involve visiting one or more countries to examine local health problems and approaches to addressing them.
WHO describes study tours as opportunities for:
- Fact-finding
- Education and professional learning
- International networking
- Scientific collaboration
- Knowledge exchange
Study tours can also be organized as tailor-made short-term training programmes.
Participants must follow the authorized itinerary and submit a final report describing their findings and experiences.
Training Locations and Host Institutions
WHO maintains a database of institutions where fellows can be placed.
The information provided also notes that applicants may consider other credible institutions that meet WHO standards.
Examples of institutions where fellows were placed recently include:
Fiji
- Fiji National University
- University of Fiji
Japan
- Sapporo Medical University
New Zealand
- Massey University
- University of Otago
Papua New Guinea
- University of Papua New Guinea
Samoa
- National University of Samoa
- NUS / Pacific Islands Orthopedic Association (PIOA)
The availability of a particular host institution should not be assumed for every fellowship. Applicants should confirm current arrangements through the relevant WHO fellowship process.
Is the WHO Fellowship Fully Funded?
The supplied WHO information explains that fellows receive entitlements and obligations during the operational stage of their fellowship.
However, the source provided does not specify a universal monetary value or complete list of financial benefits for every fellowship.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that every WHO fellowship provides the same financial package.
The specific entitlements applicable to a selected fellowship should be confirmed through the official fellowship documentation and the relevant national health authorities.
Application and Selection Process
Candidates interested in the WHO Fellowships Programme should first establish whether their national health administration is participating in the relevant fellowship opportunity.
For fellowships of three months or longer, WHO states that opportunities are advertised and candidates submit applications online before applications are forwarded to the Regional Office.
Because fellowships are linked to national health workforce planning, applicants should ensure that their proposed training aligns with relevant health priorities and professional development needs.
What Happens After Selection?
Selected fellows undertake the approved training programme and must comply with the conditions associated with the fellowship.
During their placement, they may be required to provide:
- Academic reports
- Progress reports
- Final reports
Following completion, fellows are expected to return to their national health systems and serve within their national health administrations.
Why Consider a WHO Fellowship?
For eligible health professionals and scientists, the programme can provide an opportunity to develop specialized knowledge while building international professional networks.
The experience can be particularly relevant to professionals whose countries have identified specific health workforce gaps and require additional technical capacity.
Rather than focusing solely on individual academic advancement, the programme is designed around health-system development, knowledge transfer and national capacity building.
How to Find Out More
The source provides the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office contact for fellowship enquiries:
Email: wprocal@who.int
Applicants should use official WHO channels and their national health administration when seeking current information about fellowship availability, eligibility, application procedures and specific financial entitlements.
Final Thoughts
The WHO Fellowships Programme in the Western Pacific Region provides health workers and scientists with opportunities for technical capacity-building, international knowledge exchange and professional development.
Depending on the approved programme, training can involve undergraduate or postgraduate study, short- or long-term programmes, distance learning or study tours.
Importantly, fellowship selection is connected to national health priorities and workforce needs, meaning applicants should consider how their proposed training can contribute to health-system development in their home country.
Since fellowship opportunities, eligibility requirements and application dates can vary, prospective applicants should verify the details of the specific opportunity through WHO and their national health administration before applying.
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