Internship and Volunteers Programme

WPRO Interns and Volunteers together with Regional Director, Dr Shin Young-soo (third from the left) and IVP Coordinator, Dr Rodel Nodora (first from the right).

WPRO Internship and Volunteer Programme: Investing in tomorrow’s Leaders

A competent and dynamic health workforce at the heart of each health system is essential to advance health and achieve global goals such as the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Countries need to have a pool of health professionals who are trained and exposed to the systems and processes in the health sector and understand how stakeholders interact within the international health arena.

The Western Pacific Regional Office Internship and Volunteer Programme (IVP) provides opportunities for graduate and postgraduate students to gain insight into the work of WHO while enriching their knowledge and experience in the health field, thereby contributing to the advancement public health.

The Western Pacific Regional Office and its country offices are committed to building future leaders in public health.

Programme objectives

• To provide a framework for assigning postgraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds to WHO programmes that can enhance their educational experience through practical assignments.
• To expose postgraduate students to the work of WHO.
• To provide WHO programmes with input from postgraduate students specializing in various fields. Most students are placed in health-related programmes, although other disciplines can be considered as appropriate.