Training
The high environmental and occupational injury and disease burden in the Southern African region require substantial numbers of trained professionals. Training at international institutions restricts the numbers because of the high cost, and runs the potential risk of graduates not remaining in academia of public sector in their homelands. Recognizing this, the UM/FIC Program invests much of its funds in training people within degree programs located at institutions in the region. This approach has resulted in a much greater return on investment.
Additionally, the establishment of high quality degree programs in EOH in more countries in Southern Africa is urgently required to train the vast numbers of occupational and environmental health professionals required in the region. Thus, this program is actively involved in capacity building leading to greater self-sufficiency in academic research and training in EOH.
Training funds to our four Resource Centers (in Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique) are provided for:
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diploma and degree programs: Full tuition stipend for students to complete a two-year postgraduate diploma in occupational and environmental health in one of three South African universities (UCT, UKZN, Wits), to complete a three-year the Masters degree at these same universities, or to complete a Ph.D. at UCT or UKZN,
- support for the above doctoral students to undergo intensive three-month training in relevant research methods at the University of Michigan,
- assistance with curriculum development/launching new degree programs: attendance at workshops, sharing of existent written and distance learning materials, provision of guest lectures, targeted assistance to University of Dar es Salaam to create a new environmental health stream as part of a new Masters in public health.