Planned Sessions at ECTMIH

Topic and speakers at the ECTMIH sessions

• What is the history of our event location?

  KIT was founded in 1910 as the Colonial Institute, with the aim of collecting and disseminating knowledge about the Dutch colonies, particularly in the tropics. It served as a centre for research and education in the fields of tropical agriculture, trade, and health care. The current monumental building of KIT was designed by architect J.J. van Nieukerken and his sons and was completed in 1926. The building is a beautiful example of the Amsterdam School style, with detailed brick architecture, artistic decorations, and symbolic elements that refer to the colonial history.
  After decolonization and the independence of Indonesia, the mission of the institute changed. It was renamed the Royal Tropical Institute and focused more on development cooperation, sustainable development, and intercultural cooperation.
  Today, KIT combines its historical roots with modern objectives. The event venue offers space for conferences, symposia, dinners, parties, and cultural events, while at the same time striving for sustainability and social responsibility. The profits from events and activities are invested in knowledge projects that contribute to a sustainable future worldwide.

• How do we ensure the safety and well-being of our guests during events?

  We believe it is important that our guests feel safe and that they have a carefree visit to our location. We ensure this by deploying security guards for events with more than 100 people and outside office hours. In addition, all our employees are trained in safety procedures and there are always qualified first aiders present in case of medical emergencies.

• What makes our location unique?

  Our location is unique in many ways. Our building has a monumental status and was built in the 20th century. The impressive architecture, symbolism and reflection of colonial history and cultural diversity in combination with the beautiful marble makes it unique. In addition, our location contributes to sustainability by contributing its profits to knowledge projects aimed at a sustainable future worldwide. This makes it an excellent choice for organizations that value corporate social responsibility. The central location and easy accessibility by public transport makes it an ideal place for both local and international guests. Situated next to the Oosterpark, it provides guests with an inspiring and serene environment. In short, the unique combination of historical value, cultural significance, sustainability, central location and green surroundings makes the Royal Tropical Institute a special and attractive location in Amsterdam.

• How is our location sustainable or environmentally friendly?

  Our location contributes to sustainability and environmental friendliness by investing its profits in KIT’s knowledge projects that focus on a sustainable future worldwide. When you organize an event with us, you contribute to these initiatives. This means that in addition to enjoying a well-organized day at a fantastic location, your choice also has a positive impact on environmentally friendly and sustainable developments worldwide.

• Can we bring our own catering?

  At our location it is not allowed to bring your own catering. This is because we offer our own catering. We have a large and diverse arrangement that we offer. Contact us to take a look at our Foodbook.

• What happens to the leftover food?

  We are happy to advise you on the quantity of catering to prevent food waste. If there is any food left over after an event, we have a partnership with Blije Buren. The remaining food is collected by this organization and then donated to lonely residents so that they have one less thing to worry about and a sense of community is created.

• Can I personalize menu options?

  We offer a wide range in our menus. However, if there are specific wishes that are related to a theme, for example, our chefs will be happy to think along!

• When do I have to provide the final number of guests?

  We would like to receive the final number of guests at least 2 weeks in advance. This way we can ensure that we can prepare everything properly.

• When do I need to inform my guests of their dietary requirements?

  We would like to receive the final numbers and all dietary requirements at least 2 weeks in advance. This way we can ensure that everything is taken care of down to the last detail on the day of your event.

• Are there additional services available, such as floral arrangements, photography, or entertainment?

  To make your event a grand success, we are happy to fulfill all your wishes. We also have the possibility for personalized flower decorations, an in-house photographer who is happy to capture your event and entertainment options. Contact us to find out what we can offer you!

• Are there any sound restrictions?

  The maximum decibel at our location is 98. Playing music and holding sound checks is possible from 17:00 during the week. This is in connection with the tenants living in our building.

• Until what time can I organize a party at the location?

  We maintain a closing time of 01:00 when organizing parties. This closing time ensures that both our guests and the residents can enjoy a quiet and safe environment. It also allows us to maintain the highest quality of service and to prepare the location in time for any events the next day. In addition, this way the guests leave at the peak of the evening, which gives the party a memorable and positive ending.

• What kind of configurations are possible in the rooms?

  The standard setups we offer are theater setup, board setup, U-shape setup, school setup, cabaret setup and round tables. Another idea? Contact us to discuss this, we are happy to think along!

• Is there flexibility in the layout of the rooms?

  Yes, all rooms can be delivered empty except for two rooms. The Queen Maxima room has a fixed theater setup and the Regentenkamer has a round table in the room as standard. The other rooms can be arranged according to your wishes. The standard setups that we offer are theater setup, board setup, U-shape setup, school setup, cabaret setup and round tables. Another idea? Contact us to discuss this, we are happy to think along with you!

• Are there specific time slots for renting rooms?

  Our rooms can be rented for the entire day. When a room is rented, this can be per half day or a whole day. A half day is equal to a duration of 5 hours and a whole day to 8 hours. We use an end time of 01:00 when renting our rooms for parties.

• Are there preferred suppliers for services such as photography, catering or decoration?

  We work with partners for audiovisual services, signing and branding. These partners have a lot of experience with our location and can deliver high-quality services. For catering, we have our own catering services and we also work with preferred caterers to meet your culinary wishes.

• Is AV included as standard with the room rental?

  Yes, standard audiovisual equipment is included in the room rental. This includes a flipchart, a screen and Wi-Fi. In the Queen Maxima room, three microphones and a viewing screen are also included.

• Are all rooms wheelchair accessible?

  All rooms are wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the Mauritszaal. We strive to make our facilities as accessible as possible for everyone, but unfortunately the Mauritszaal has limitations that prevent wheelchair access. Should there be a specific need, we will be happy to help you with an alternative solution in our other rooms.

• Is it possible to have a photo shoot at the location?

  Unfortunately it is not possible to have a photoshoot at our location outside of an event. Please contact us for the possibilities.

• What kind of events are held at the location?

  At our location, the possibilities are endless. For example, large congresses and conferences are organized, but also large parties and fancy dinners. Curious whether your event is also possible at our location? Contact us to discuss your ideas with us, we are happy to think along!

• Can we get a tour of the location?

  We really enjoy showing our beautiful location. It is therefore certainly possible to plan a location visit when there is interest in organizing an event with us. This way it is possible to get a good idea of ​​the many possibilities. You can plan a location visit by sending an email to events@kit.nl or by calling +31(0)20 568 8504. See you soon!

• Can I park at the location?

  Due to the renovation of the Hotel, our parking lot is closed. An exception is made for visitors with a disability, for these visitors a parking space can be reserved by contacting us.
  There are several parking options near the KIT:

  • Parking on the public road in the Dapperbuurt or the Oosterparkbuurt, in this zone parking costs 6.00 euros per hour.
  • The parking garage at the OLVG, ’s Gravesandeplein 120, for 6.00 euros per hour.
  • Q-Park Oostpoort parking garage, Polderweg 92, for €3.33 per hour.
  • Parking garage Park Bee Ingenieur Jakoba Mulderplein, for €3.50 per hour.
  • Mobihub P+R Oostpoort, Polderweg 92.
  • There are several P+R locations around the city, which can be combined with public transport. The location can be reached via tram 7, 14 and 19.

• From Beriberi To Obesity – 100 years of the Eijkman Medal Foundation

  Description

  The Eijkman Medal Foundation was established on the 1st of October 1923 and has awarded 55 medals since then. In 1929, Professor Eijkman received the Nobel Prize for his pioneering work on Beriberi, a disease caused by thiamine deficiency, and demonstrated the importance of vitamins for health. Today, we want to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the foundation and the role of the Netherlands in global health research with a short symposium addressing how the world has changed since Eijkman. It has shifted from malnutrition and a focus on infectious diseases in LMIC to the need to consider a broader spectrum of diseases and the emerging challenge of overnutrition.

  Speakers

  Prof. Teun Bousema, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre Dr. Bryan Gonzales, Ghent University Dr. Marinka van der Hoeven, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

• Porous borders, mobile migrants and malaria elimination: Estimating population size and movements of artisanal small-scale gold mining workers in Suriname and French Guiana

  Description

  Porous borders and mobile migrant populations present challenges to malaria elimination worldwide. This study estimates the size and migration patterns of mobile migrants engaged in Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining on the Suriname-French Guiana border. Using a mixed methods approach, including primary data (site visits, head counts, network analysis), and secondary data from 2020-2023, the study shows consistent estimates. Approximately 20,000 individuals are active in gold mining in Suriname, with an additional 11,000 in French Guiana, totaling around 31,000. Population turnover is approximately 10.5%, with 95% being newcomers. These findings aid malaria elimination efforts and are of importance to any efforts to estimate hard-to-reach (mobile migrant) populations. For further reading see our study on Mobile Migrant Population in Suriname.

  Speakers

  Dr. Pierre Pratley, Senior Advisor at KIT Royal Tropical Institute

• Simulation of Social Justice: How Could Games Demonstrate Health Equity

  Description

  Simulation games, provide a unique opportunity for participants to experience and reflect on the learning messages. With good facilitation, participants can be dynamically engaged in discussions that build on their experiences, instead of being passive recipients of the information. They’re fun and captivating, leaving a lasting impression on students long after graduation. During the ECTMIH conference this year, we are glad to share examples of KIT’s games on health equity that we would love to share and demonstrate in an interactive session with the conference participants, such as the “Health Equity Walk”, and the “Health Resources Allocation Game”, that we would love to share and demonstrate in an interactive session with conference participants. These games are suitable for classrooms, workshops, meetings, or even fun game nights. During the session, we will also reveal for the first time our new game,“SDHopoly: The Game of Health Equity”, a collaborative board game that we designed and piloted over the past two years. The game explores the social determinants of health through various situations and actions. Players work together to employ their unique abilities and develop solutions to minimize the health equity gaps.

  Speakers

  Mahdi Abdelwahab, KIT Royal Tropical Institute Dinu Abdella, KIT Royal Tropical Institute

• From principles to practice: a mixed-methods study on research integrity and research fairness in global health research

  Description

  Over the past decade, the ideals of research integrity and research fairness have gained considerable momentum in the global health research arena. Research integrity emerged in the late 2000’s as a response to the reproducibility crisis in science. Research fairness initiatives aim to ensure increased ownership of research agendas and research outputs where the research involves partners with unequal powers, decision making and resource capacities, thereby maximising on the local health research priorities. While both areas have been the subject of intense academic debate, there is little empirical data on practices related to integrity and fairness specific to global health. This study, employing mixed-methods, sought to assess the prevalence and determinants of practices associated with research integrity and research fairness in both the Global North and the Global South. Overall, the results indicate that there is large variation in the frequency of practices related to research integrity and research fairness, but with little geographic variation. Our study also identified several structural, institutional and individual factors associated with these patterns, such as an inflexible donor landscape, research institutions’ investments in relationship building, guidelines and mentoring, as well power differentials and competition between researchers.

  Speakers

  Sandra Alba, KIT Royal Tropical Institute

• Redesigning Maternal and Newborn Health Service Delivery for You, With You

  Qualitative methods in human-centered design for maternal and newborn health services in Niger, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, and Cote d’Ivoire 

  Description

  Despite the efforts made in the past decades to improve the health of women and children; antenatal, perinatal, postpartum and newborn health services are not delivered with the quality and impact needed for societal transformation. In 2018, the Lancet Global Health Commission recommended Service Delivery Redesign (SDR) as one of the pillars to improve health system quality for Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) services. To that effect, a multi-country SDR feasibility study to identify potential model(s) of care that maximize the systems’ ability to deliver quality services was designed using a Human-Centered Design (HCD) approach.   This SDR feasibility study incorporates a qualitative methodology using HCD to carry out a community assessment. This offers insights  from users and non-users who are elicited to share their stories and perspectives using open-ended questions and stimuli exercises. Conversation sparks with user groups are also carried out to validate ideas gained for the potential redesign models of care. User personas, users journey maps, and service blueprints will visualize a clearer understanding of the experience of users vis-à-vis the MNH services, where there are mismatches between services and needs, and where improvements in system organization are necessary.   Overall, HCD is an innovative approach to analyze existing gaps between the current state and the potential model(s) of the SDR for MNH services. The new potential models can lead to better outcomes for patients, improved satisfaction for patients and providers, and more efficient and effective Maternal and Neonatal services.

  Speakers

  Chantale Lakis, KIT Royal Tropical Institute

• Piloting a digital mental health solution in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

  Description

  The Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) are a complex and volatile region with a history of conflict and instability. The population is at a higher risk of developing mental health disorders due to continuous exposure to violence, displacement, and other limitations on opportunities. The Inuka method digitally connects clients to a certified lay coach for text-based sessions to identify their challenges and find solutions. This is the first time that this type of therapy is being evaluated in this setting. The study aims to evaluate the Inuka intervention on self-reported mental health conditions at baseline, after completion of the sessions, and at 3 months follow-up, and to understand the acceptability of the intervention by users. Recruitment of the 100 participants for the pilot has started as of August 2023. The platform was promoted through influencer posts on social media, brochures, and word of mouth as among the promotional methods. The platform was promoted through influencer posts on social media, as well as through brochures and word of mouth, as part of our promotional methods. The pilot study intends to showcase how a digital tool can improve mental health in highly volatile contexts such as the OPT. Users’ experiences will provide information for future amendments to the app and allow for contextualization. If this pilot proves the intervention to be effective, a randomized controlled trial will be implemented.

  Speakers

  Chantale Lakis, Advisor and Epidemiologist at KIT

• How to scale up novel health interventions? An emerging field

  Description

  The purpose of this symposium is to inform participants about the emerging field of scaling up health innovations through the presentation of case studies and sharing of experiences, addressing the multiple dimensions of the scale-up process. Case studies will address the process of scaling up of a psychological intervention for refugees, of tuberculosis care interventions and of district health management strengthening interventions. Participants will be engaged through a discussion/debate about the barriers and enablers of scaling-up health interventions in complex systems and contexts. Provocative statements will be discussed in small groups. Finally, the speakers will summarise the session and key lessons learned from the debate (e.g. complexity of scaling up, how to plan for scale up, systems perspective).

  Speakers

  Aniek Woodward, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Research Associate Esmée Hessel, KIT Royal Tropical Institute Mirjam Bakker, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Health Advisor Egbert Sondorp, KIT Royal Tropical Institute Beatrice Kirubi Dr. Stephen John, Founder, Janna Health Foundation, Nigeria

• Ensuring Mother and Child Health Care in a Protracted Crisis: The Experience of Afghanistan

  Description

  The sudden regime change in Afghanistan in August 2021, with the Taliban now leading the de-facto government, has been a major shock to the health system. Major threats to the system include the withdrawal of international funding, a massive drain of clinical and public health professionals, and concerns over the negative influence of a new government that lacks the competence to run the health systems. A further threat is the regime’s perspective on human rights that negatively affects the access to health care by women and minorities.   The SEHAT and Sehatmandi public health programmes were implemented consecutively in Afghanistan until 2021 to ensure universal access to health services and health equity, with a strong focus on maternal and child health care. With the Taliban take-over international donors withdrew development funding for these programmes and they are now being sustained in a reduced form, primarily through humanitarian funding streams.   In this session we discuss the resilience of the health system in providing universal access maternal and child health service considering three phases: 1) Absorbing the shock of the 2021 Taliban take-over 2) Adaptation of the health system in response to change, and 3) The possibilities that lie ahead to transform the health system given in the new political reality, to continue ensuring equitable access to health services, despite increasingly challenging living and working conditions for women.

  Speakers

  Margo van Gurp, MSc, KIT Royal Tropical Institute Abdul Majeed Siddiqi, HealthNet TPO Nasrat Ansari, PhD, independent researcher, SRHR Egbert Sondorp, KIT Royal Tropical Institute Sandra Alba, KIT Royal Tropical Institute

• Utilizing Geospatial Methods to Drive Health Service Delivery in the Era of Climate Change

  Description

  The session aims to facilitate knowledge sharing and exchange among participants, providing valuable insights into geospatial methodologies using various sources of secondary data to inform, plan, and monitor health service delivery. Presenters will showcase a suite of different spatial analysis and geoprocessing methodologies, which have been successfully applied in different contexts, including acute crisis response and Tuberculosis care. The focus will be on current uses of geospatial methodologies in directing health service delivery and climate resilience. The session will also discuss health care planning for crisis preparedness and response, where existing health disparities are likely to be magnified and where resources need to be precisely targeted. Additionally, the session will present the conceptualization of these approaches for surveillance and projection of climate change related health impacts. The presenters will provide insights into the methodologies, while highlighting the challenges to improving, such as data caveats and knowledge exchange between different scientific disciplines. The discussion will then focus on the use of these approaches in health service delivery considering the impacts of the climate crises, including vector-borne diseases, migration of vulnerable populations, and natural hazard-induced disasters. Participants will be invited to share their experiences in the field and encouraged to share challenges and potential solutions.

  Speakers

  Mirjam Bakker, Senior Epidemiologist, KIT Royal Tropical Institute Nicolas Ray, Institute of Global Health & Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva Ente Rood, KIT Royal Tropical Institute Fleur Hierink, Institute of Global Health & Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva Marc van den Homberg, The Netherlands Red Cross

• How SRHR integration in medical curricula (should) support equitable and rights-based health around the globe

  Description

  Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are globally under threat. Even in settings where SRHR policy and regulations are liberalized, people face barriers to access quality, non-biased and rights-based care. Given concerns in many countries of declining numbers of health care professionals able and willing to provide SRHR care, including around sensitive issues such as abortion care, SRHR for young people and for LGBTQI+ amongst others, the need to ensure early-career training is urgent and essential. Also in less sensitive reproductive health issues the voice and rights of individuals are often challenged by cultural or political arguments of others. Failure to ensure that the next generation of professionals have appropriate levels of SRHR skills and knowledge of the SRHR discourse, will be a failure to commit to meeting the basic health care needs and rights of people. This session aims to facilitate global and local learning on the developments and needs for SRHR in medical curricula. It provides a general overview on the global status of SRHR in medical curricula, lessons learned from previous initiatives to improve SRHR in medical curricula and a call to action for the inclusion of it.

  Speakers

  Irene de Vries, MD, MA, RMNCAH advisor, KIT Royal Tropical InstituteAnke van der Kwaak, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, SRHR advisorPrisca Zwanikken, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, SRHR and education advisorFerry (ENTOG) Boekhorst Goknur Topcu Dr. Ba Sidi Yaya, President of the Association of Private Health Schools of Mali Anne Vervoort, SeksHag, general practicioner

• Fighting falsified and substandard medicines: acting on evidence in Indonesia and Afghanistan

  Description

  In this session, we focus on the fight against falsified and substandard medicines in Indonesia and Afghanistan, presenting original studies on the size and nature of the problem and proposing solutions. How big is the problem? What are the root causes and what can be done to protect patients from poor-quality medicines? We will explore different methods for assessing the quality of medicines in both the public and private sector and present empirical examples of both random and risk-based sampling, patient perceptions, and an ongoing review of which medicines in the market are most at risk. Our interactive session will center on what can be done to reduce the chance that falsified and substandard medicine penetrate the market and reach patients. We will focus on how research can be used to ensure the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products and the need for intergovernmental collaboration, between departments and sectors, regulatory bodies, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders who play a role in ensuring the quality of medicines. Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to the global effort to address the drug quality crisis and improve access to safe and effective medicines for all.

  Speakers

  Elisabeth Kleipool, Advisor Health Systems Strengthening, PhD, KIT Royal Tropical Institute Nima Yaghmaei, Epidemiologist, KIT Royal Tropical Institute Sandra Alba, PhD, Senior Epidemiologist, KIT Royal Tropical Institute Amalia Hasnida, Erasmus School for Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam Dr. Maarten Kok, Erasmus School for Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Universitas Gadjah Mada

• Subnational burden estimation: methods and applications for locally tailored public health programme planning

  Description

  A key requirement for public health preparedness and planning is the availability of reliable estimates of health needs. Globally, emerging public health threats (i.e. COVID-19, influenza, disaster relief) rely on subnational estimates of disease burden to optimally allocate limited health resources and to monitor the effectiveness of interventions. In this session, infectious disease experts and disease modelers will present novel methods and approaches to monitor and estimate disease burden at subnational level and will demonstrate how these estimates are used to inform public health decisions.

  Speakers

  – Ente Rood, Senior epidemiologist, KIT Royal Tropical Institute  – Christina Mergenthaler, Epidemiologist, KIT Royal Tropical Institute – Jake Mathewson, Epidemiologist, KIT Royal Tropical Institute – Muhammed Semakula, Epidemiologist & Statistician; Rwanda Ministry of Health/ KIT Royal Tropical Institute  – Abdullah Latif, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant Manager; Mercy Corps Pakistan  – Nathaniel Henry, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

• Track 5: Selected Challenges and Solutions in Public Health

  COURSE DATES AUTUMN 2025 08/09/2025 – 28/08/2026	COURSE DATES SPRING 2026 02/03/2026 – 27/08/2027 (1,5 years or maximum 5 years)	DURATION 1-5 years
  COURSE FEE FULL-TIME 2025-26 EUR 13.800,- (excl. specialisation courses)	COURSE FEE PART-TIME 2025-26 EUR 14.500,- (excl. specialisation courses)	APPLICATION DEADLINE Autumn 2025: 01/07/2025 Spring 2026: 01/12/2025

  Public health is a broad field of work and specific challenges require a diversity of competencies to contribute to solutions and improved health outcomes. This track is flexible, and can be completed within one year (full-time) or up to five years (part-time). This course is for you if you are eager to plan, take initiative, and even travel during your master’s programme. Because of its flexible scheduling, this track is also very suitable for people who want to combine study with work and other responsibilities.

  Specialisation courses:
  After your Core Course, you can design your learning trajectory to suit your interests and professional ambitions. Not only can you choose from courses offered by KIT for the other three specialisations, but also from hundreds of accredited advanced modules from tropEd. tropEd is a network of educational institutions based all over the world, that offer face-to-face or distance-based courses from a range of natural and social science disciplines, such as health economics, health promotion, leadership skills, and more. Where relevant, you can also take NVAO-accredited master-level courses at the VU and other universities in the Netherlands and Belgium.

  • Read more about our Short Courses

• Track 4: Tailor-made track

  COURSE DATES 08/09/2025 – 28/08/2026	DURATION  1 year
  COURSE FEE  EUR 21.700,-	APPLICATION DEADLINE 01/07/2025

  The tailor-made track is a full-time track that allows you to develop a balanced and personalised programme, based at KIT in Amsterdam. This track is specifically relevant for participants who wish to study at KIT without a pre-defined specialisation and want to tailor the MPH-HE programme to their professional needs.

  Specialisation courses:
  After the Core Course, you will make a personalised plan to meet the objectives of the master’s programme, looking at your specific expertise and education needs. You can opt for modules from any of the full-time specialisations and/or include other short courses at KIT, such as Digital Health, Geographical Information Systems for Global Health, and many more.

• Track 3: Epidemiology

  COURSE DATES 08/09/2025 – 28/08/2026	DURATION  1 year
  COURSE FEE EUR 21.700,-	APPLICATION DEADLINE 01/07/2025

  The epidemiology track offers a comprehensive curriculum, designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively analyse, evaluate, and address public health challenges from an epidemiological perspective. The track focuses on utilising geographic information systems to understand the spatial distribution of diseases, identify high-risk areas, and inform targeted interventions. It also provides you with the tools to design and analyse epidemiological studies, generate evidence for public health responses, and assess the effectiveness of interventions. Finally, it explores policies, governance and finance mechanisms to promote health equity and strengthen health systems. Through this track, you will develop a solid foundation in epidemiology and gain practical skills to contribute to evidence-based public health strategies and policies, aimed at achieving health equity on a global scale.

  Advanced specialisation courses:

  • Evidence for Public Health Responses: Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
  • Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Health and Epidemiology
  • Health Policy and Financing OR SRHR: Policy, Governance, and Financing

• Track 2: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

  COURSE DATES 08/09/2025 – 28/08/2026	DURATION  1 year
  COURSE FEE  EUR 21.700,-	APPLICATION DEADLINE 01/07/2025

  Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are essential to fulfilling people’s rights to health and well-being, as well as to advance the related social development goals. Indeed, more and more national, and international policies, research, and programming are dedicated to the field of SRHR. Yet, challenges to SRHR persist, and in some cases are even exacerbated, due to resource constraints, political issues, conflict, as well as gender and other inequalities. In this track, you will examine the complexities of addressing SRHR challenges, with a particular focus on marginalised populations.
  The SRHR track invites you to use a range of conceptual and inter-disciplinary perspectives, to critically (re-)consider how to develop and assess responses and policies that address SRHR. Cross-cutting throughout the track are discussions on the influence of gender, power, rights, equity, sexuality, disability, stigma, and ethics in advancing SRHR.

  Advanced specialisation courses:

  • Human Resources for Health or Evidence for Public Health Responses: Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
  • SRHR: Organising Equitable Responses
  • SRHR: Policy, Governance, and Financing

• Track 1: Health Systems and Policy

  COURSE DATES 08/09/2025 – 28/08/2026	DURATION  1 year
  COURSE FEE EUR 21.700,-	APPLICATION DEADLINE 01/07/2025

  This track will enable you to analyse complexities in health systems and address the growing interconnectedness of national and international health policies, governance, and financing, as well as challenges around human resources for health highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, in recognition of post-colonial legacies, there is growing emphasis on organising people-centred and community-based responses to solving complex public health problems systematically and strategically. You will learn to better address these issues, providing evidence-based public health solutions for continuously improving the quality and responsiveness of health services, using an equal partnerships approach.

  Advanced specialisation courses:

  • Human Resources for Health
  • Health Promotion and Disease Control Strategies
  • Health Policy and Financing

• OKP-LPDP: StuNed Joint Scholarship Programme

  Update 15 February 2024
  We have just been informed that two Master programmes are eligible for the OKP-LPDP StuNed Joint Scholarship Programme. Specially for Indonesia, the Orange Knowledge Programme is cooperating with Indonesian scholarship provider Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) to provide Master’s Scholarships for Indonesian mid-career professionals.

  We are waiting for updated information for 2024 and will update this webpage as soon as we know more.

  Eligible courses:	Master of Science in Public Health and Health Equity
  Countries:	Indonesia
  More information:	Please note that citizens from Indonesia should apply for this scholarship and not the regular OKP scholarship. If interested in this opportunity please apply as soon as possible for academic admission to the course of your choice. (Please note that we have just received this news and Nuffic website is not yet updated. Keep an eye on this webpage and Nuffic for the most recent updates and instructions).
  Application period:	For academic year 2023-2024 the application period for Indonesian citizens opens on 15 February 2023 and closes 30 March 2023. Applicants need to apply first for academic admission, and accepted applicants will receive a link to apply for the scholarship in Delta and LPDP application platform. (Most of the application process is similar to OKP scholarships). Nuffic page

• MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP)

  The MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) aims to build bridges through knowledge by offering opportunities for capacity building within organisations in the Middle East and North Africa.
  Update 27 September 2024:

  Eligible courses round 15 October 2024:	• Feminist Edge, Professional Development programme for Gender Trainers
  Countries:	Algeria • Egypt • Iran • Iraq • Jordan • Lebanon • Libya • Morocco • Syria • Oman • Tunisia • Sudan • Mauritania (Syria: Syrians can apply for a scholarship if they are living and working in one of the other countries listed above)
  More information:	Details on the MENA MSP scholarship differ per country. Please visit the Nuffic website and click on your country to find all details per country. Here you will also find instructions on extra forms you have to prepare. We advise you to start up this process already as it may take some time. You have to apply for academic admission to KIT first, if you are admitted you will receive a link to a link to Delta, the online system, where you can apply. Attention: application deadline academic admission is 7 October 2024 Nuffic website: MENA scholarship (MSP)
  Information en francais:	Unfortunately there is no separate information on this scholarship in French.
  Application deadlines:	Scholarship application period to be confirmed: deadline 15 October 2024 Academic admission deadline 7 October 2024

• Japan/ Worldbank scholarship for Japanese nationals

  KIT is on the list of eligible institutes of the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGS programme) . This programme awards scholarships to Japanese nationals studying a study related to development. (And to individuals from World Bank member countries to undertake graduate studies at universities renowned for their development research and teaching. It is vehicle for knowledge sharing and capacity building in the developing world). 

  Eligible courses:	Masters of Science in Public Health and Health Equity. Check the website.
  Countries:	Available for nationals from Japan studying outside Japan a study related to development. (Also available for nationals from list of Worldbank countries. See title above ‘around the world’ for more information)
  More information:	Visit the Worldbank website ‘Japanese Nationals) for all application information. (Application instructions Worldbank for Japanese Nationals. Please follow these very detailed instructions to the letter!) Extra flyer with information
  Application period:	For academic year 2025-2026 the application period for Japanese nationals is open from 17 February until 18 April 2025 (noon Washington time). Please note that we are under KIT/ Vrije Universiteit. Only applicants with academic admission to KIT can apply.

• Local Knowledge Global Impact – NUFFIC

  Host Organisation:

  Description

  Knowlegde defined as skills, educations or experience is ‘Power’! This power is multidimensional and multifunctional and can be used to assimilate or to empower others, create self-esteem and confidence and trust. It can also be used to solve the simplest to the most complex issues. Knowledge is coveted and always serve a cause. The language and vocabulary used to transfer this knowledge reveal the intentions and the mindsets of it source.  In this session, Nuffic will provide a space for peers in two cities (Amsterdam and Beirut) to engage with one another to learn, understand and define the power of local knowledge to strengthen equal partnerships (in the field of knowledge cooperation), and to understand how local knowledge contributes to global development. The dialogue will take place in two steps: Local session Different dialogues will take place in Amsterdam and Beirut. Key messages from the dialogues will be illustrated in the form of cartoons or caricatures. The debate will be convened by Nuffic representatives. Estimated time: 55 min. Internationally connected online session The internationally connected session will bring the two countries and Prof Alan Fowler together online. Convenors of each country will share the outcome of their respective sessions supported by cartoons. Alan Fowler will be listening to the outcome of different convenors and will have an additional conversation with Roos Hogenkamp, Manager Global at Nuffic. During his contribution, Alan will summarise the lessons learned of the outcome of each session. He will especially look at the languages and signs that block equal partnership in the field of knowledge cooperation. He will inspire new ideas that could lead to successful innovations to forge promising and equal partnerships. Estimated time: 20 min

  Speakers

  Offline dialogues in two different cities This session will be held simultaneously in all three locations. Convenors parallel dialogues: ▪ Amsterdam: Joseph Seh, coordinator External Relations and knowledge partner, Nuffic ▪ Beirut: Gemma Bennink, Senior Programme Manager Nuffic Artist: ▪ Beirut: Mathilda Al Feghali (to be confirmed) ▪ Amsterdam: Mark de Koning Internationally connected online session – Amsterdam: ▪ Roos Hogenkamp, Manager Global, Nuffic ▪ Keynote speaker: Prof Alan F Fowler, “Pracademic” Honorary Professor Chair in African Philanthropy, Wits Business School, Professor Emeritus, International Institute of Social Studies http://www.alanfowler.org/

• Governing for justice and equity in Global Health practice, research and funding – Prince Claus Chair

  Host Organisation:

  Prince Claus Chair

  Description

  This session will discuss strategies to address and prevent wrongs related to knowledge production, use, and circulation in global health. In recent years, greater attention has been drawn to the need for new governance structures and processes to ensure equitable and just practices in academic global  health  (eg,  authorship  practices, research partnerships, education exchanges, academic writing,  editorial  practices,  sense-making  practices, and the choice of audience or research framing, questions, and methods).  In this session we will discuss strategies to address and prevent the wrongs related to knowledge production, use, and circulation in global health. It will be framed around two forms of epistemic wrongs, credibility deficit and interpretive marginalisation, which stem from structural exclusion of marginalised producers and recipients of knowledge. Following a presentation that describes the various forms which these injustices might take, there will be three presentations that will highlight the practical tools and approaches to addressing them. These tools will include those aimed at: 1. ensuring that global health funding practices are equitable and just; 2. ensuring that global health research is conducted with fairness and integrity; and 3. ensuring that educational exchanges in global health are reciprocal and equitable. The governance tools and strategies will then be discussed in an open exchange between the panellists and the audience. These discussions will be conducted with an eye on identifying potential recommendations for knowledge actors in global health. The overall aim will be to share, reflect upon and promote strategies to surface, detect, communicate, make sense of, avoid, and potentially undo unfair knowledge practices in global health that are inflicted upon people in their capacity as knowers, and as producers and recipients of knowledge, owing to structural prejudices in the processes involved in knowledge production, use, and circulation in global health.

  Speakers

  Emilie Koum Besson, LSHT (TBC) Rutuja Patil, VRHP KEMHRC Judith van de Kamp, UMC Seye Abimbola, Prince Claus Chair Holder

• The Ethical Pathways for Equitable Knowledge Partnerships – IIED

  Host Organisation:

  Description

  This workshop will create a space for participants to explore the barriers and pathways to establish equitable and ethical knowledge partnerships in an unequal world. Knowledge partnerships are contingent on the effects of inequality expressed by differentials of power and resources. Gender inequalities, social injustice, colonial legacies, racism, and other social ills permeate the space of knowledge creation. Building on IIED’s interest on rethinking research and development approaches from a decolonization perspective, IIED is undertaking research on the ethical dimensions of partnerships. The ongoing research involves a process of documenting decolonial approaches and frameworks from other organizations active in international development, identifying progressive policies and donor initiatives, and analyzing IIED’s own decision-making and expressions of power from a decolonial, racial and gender justice framing. The workshop will be an opportunity for cross-learning among participants and will have an interactive format with two segments. In the introductory segment, speakers will discuss the most prevalent institutional barriers and share principles and pathways for equitable partnerships. During this segment, IIED will share initial findings from its ongoing research. The second segment of the workshop will use the research cycle as an entry point for discussion to engage participants in a facilitated dialogue to identify barriers, principles, and best practices to establish ethical knowledge partnerships at different stages of the research cycle. The expected outcome of the workshop is to collectively identify and document practices that have enable organisations to institutionalise change, and address inequality and colonial legacies in funding, research, and development practice.

  Speakers

  Tracy Kajumba – Principal Researcher and Team Leader, Strengthening Partnerships Partner speakers – TBC

• Oversight and insight – A conversation about equity and power dynamics in knowledge networks – KPSRL, Share-Net, INCLUDE

  Host Organisations:

  Knowledge platforms: Share-Net International (SNI), INCLUDE, Knowledge Platform Security & Rule of Law (KPSRL)

  Description

  In 2011, the Dutch government subscribed to the importance of knowledge brokering by calling for the establishment of knowledge platforms aiming to improve institutional capacity to absorb and utilise expertise and knowledge in international development. Knowledge networks bring together individuals and teams, often across organizational, spatial and disciplinary boundaries, to generate, share and apply knowledge. There exists a variety of practices how knowledge networks are led and organised, what is the distribution of roles and responsibilities and the level of supervision and management as well as how they uphold principles of fairness, accountability, transparency and participation. Together with representatives from three Dutch knowledge networks and an international thought leader on knowledge management, participants will engage in a (self-)reflective workshop. To start with, this 90-minutes session addresses the question to what extent equitable practices within knowledge networks differ from other partnerships in international development. We will also unpack diverse management cultures and governance experiences among SNI, INCLUDE and KPSRL, touching upon good practices and reflecting on blockers when linking research, policy and practice in domains such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, inclusive development, and security and rule of law. Hereinafter, participants will be invited to join the networks in co-creating bold ideas and formulating recommendations to improve knowledge management processes through equitable and inclusive governance. Linking the emerging achievements, challenges and recommendations from the session with global trends and evidence around equitable knowledge management, Gladys Kemboi will wrap up the session with her closing remarks.

  Panellists and Facilitator

  Panellists Dorine Thomissen (Share-Net International coordinator) Anika Altaf (Coordinator INCLUDE Knowledge Platform) Messina Laurette Manirakiza (Programming Officer at Secretariat Knowledge Platform for Security & Rule of Law) Gladys Kemboi (Knowledge Management Advisor) Facilitator Hannah Kabelka (SRHR advisor at KIT)

• Multiple dimensions of knowledge & power in Ethiopia – Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation

  Host Organisation:

  Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation

  Description

  Ethiopia has a long-established agricultural knowledge network with knowledge being generated in research institutes and scaled out to the regions and users through an extension system. The knowledge landscape and flow and use of knowledge is top-down. Many research and development projects are dependent on outside financing, including bilateral and world bank funding. These externally funded projects have their own agenda and impacted the continuity and sustainability of knowledge management and institutional partnership. In the Ethiopia Wageningen partner projects, we are transitioning to bottom-up planning, ownership within the various administrative levels of the Ethiopian governance structure and engaging universities as equal research partners. The challenges and the power dynamics of the transition trajectories will be discussed in this dialogue session.

  Speakers

  Irene Koomen (Dr.), organizer Dawit Alemu (Dr.), speaker Tewodros Tafere (Dr), speaker Mohammed Hassena (Dr.), Speaker

• The AMIU Story: Using lessons learned from 65 years in the NGO community to build a university with global partnerships – Amref

  Host Organisation

  Background

  The Amref International University (AMIU) is a Pan-African health training and research institution that focuses on developing primary healthcare health workforce leaders and service providers. The university is founded in the premise that health problems know no borders and health policies and guidelines are globally developed and so health institutions must train health workers who think globally, are connected across borders but are able to work locally with their communities. The unique model of AMIU has organically developed over the last 65 years as Amref Health Africa, the largest indigenous African health NGO, implemented programs over the years. In this session we will discuss the AMIU model including how partnerships with communities can lead to development of fit for purpose graduates; how locally led context specific research agenda can be developed and how institutions of higher learning can challenge colonial legacies in education and still maintain mutually beneficial global partnerships.

  Session details

  1. Understanding the AMIU model This will be a 15 minutes presentation providing a framework for developing knowledge hubs and learning institutions in partnership with communities. A historical perspective of how the university has developed over the years will be presented. Further, the presentation will discuss how the university has continued to remain connected globally despite being a community co-created institution based on local needs. 2. Brainstorm This will take 45 minutes. Participants will be put in 3 groups and will discuss the main challenges around equitable partnerships in the AMIU model: –   As AMIU enters the league of universities with all the mandatory regulations and accreditations will it maintain its community-driven approach? How have other universities maintained their local niche and still achieved global excellence? –   As student numbers grow, how do you ensure knowledge and practice are interlinked? How do you make sure that students do not lose touch with community needs and that they have the right culture to serve, i.e. being fit for purpose? –   As universities develop their unique approaches and try to delink from colonial legacies including attempts to decolonize research – how do we ensure that they maintain mutually beneficial global partnerships? 3.  Plenary discussions This will take 20 minutes. Groups will present their report in plenary and give recommendations. 4. Wrap up – The last 10 minutes will be used to summarize the key messages to guide future partnerships.

  Session Facilitators

  1.  Prof Joachim Osur, Vice Chancellor, Amref International University (AMIU) 2.  Prof Tammary Esho, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, AMIU 3.  Aletta Jansen, Portfolio Manager, Amref Flying Doctors, Netherlands

• Enabling transformative partnerships and knowledge for better farm productivity and higher income – East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer, IFDC

  Host Organisation:

  East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer, IFDC

  Description

  The use of improved crop varieties and better farming practices not only boosts smallholder farmers’ income in rural areas but can have a huge impact on nutrition. However, in many rural communities, farmers still struggle with poor yields, and crop and vegetable production is rarely positioned as the profitable and sustainable business it can and should be. This session presents perspectives from two organisations aiming to catalyse transformative partnerships for positive change in agricultural markets. IFDC leads the Private Seed Sector Development (PSSD) project in Burundi. The project leverages a unique ‘diamond’ approach to partnership building with key stakeholders, which has enabled systemic changes in the seed system and created new demand for quality seed of improved varieties. The presenters explain how these changes have come about through an intensive process of multistakeholder engagement and facilitation, and which gaps still remain. To catalyse the growth of local markets, East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer supports long-term programs aimed at enhancing farmers’ production capacity. EWS invests in peer-led, field-based approaches which put farmers on a positive path of change. The session will detail how local experience to used to ensure farming communities are empowered with the most appropriate context-specific knowledge. In addition to looking at how EWS generates technical knowledge and market-related information, presenters will explore how this is then shared through a network of key farmers and local stakeholders. Participants will be asked to reflect on how these initiatives can potentially add further value and deepen the sustainability of their work through, for example, more focus on inclusivity and the scaling-up of positive partnerships. What more can be done?

  Speakers

  Stuart Morris, Director of East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Sylvie Desilles, Knowledge Manager of East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Johann Bonnand, Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research (TBC!) Bastian Huesken, Deputy Regional Director East and Southern Africa, Cyriaque Simbashizubwoba, Chief of Party, PSSD Project, IFDC