Postgraduate Certificate - Introduction to Tropical Medicine and Challenges in International Health

My background includes biological, political and economic sciences, combined with mental health. I worked in labs and on the field, in arts and education. Before ITM I worked as an accredited mediator of conflicts, researcher in intercultural social sciences, and culture advocate supported by embassies in Africa. As a kid, I heard much about ITM from my mom, a scientist in a Brussels hospital. A biologist myself, I could witness it first hand when I got sick with a tropical disease in Burkina Faso: in Brussels, hospitals counted on ITM’s expert analyses. Later on, I decided to follow my own samples and go study in Antwerp! 

I joined ITM for the postgraduate certificate Introduction to Tropical Medicine and Challenges in International Health.  From theory to practice, critical thinking was much encouraged and I found ITM much open-minded compared to other institutions. ITM really takes you to another level. It is the one place in Belgium where the learning paradigm has an Anglo-Saxon touch. Crossroad between educational systems, ITM brings together critical thinking and top-of-the-notch knowledge to provide solid foundations for real-life work. 

ITM offers access to cutting-edge content in tropical medicine and public health. At the intersection between practical and academic approaches, the philosophy and expertise of ITM are particularly fit for professionals with working experience who want to study further.

Lectures could be followed online via modern and reliable technology, and the online platform and e-modules were well-designed and helpful. Participants with diverse backgrounds added to the value as expertise and languages mixed. Teachers were also highly knowledgeable. Interdisciplinary and intercultural approaches offered a one-of-a-kind experience, close to real work challenges. For example, the optional field lab course and the emergency humanitarian exercise were very practical. 

ITM was an intense and enriching learning experience that prepared me well for both academic research and fieldwork. The course refreshed my existing knowledge, equipped me with new skills, and unified my academic and professional experience within a respected qualification. It has opened doors to humanitarian work and significantly supports my aspirations in interdisciplinary research and potentially pursuing an MD/PhD.

Sophie Petit has completed our PG1: Postgraduate Certificate in Introduction to Tropical Medicine & Challenges in International Health. Find out what her experience was like:

Manju Pollet completed the Postgraduate Certificate - Introduction to Tropical Medicine and Challenges in International Health, in 2024. Find out what her experience was like:

I started my education in midwifery, after which I pursued a Master’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology. Afterwards, I was looking for a way to integrate the knowledge gained from both fields of study, and this postgraduate seemed like a perfect option. 

The first part of the course (INTROMED) was an interesting challenge as it had been some time since I was in the medical/health field. But I was eager to get back into it. Before the course started I was not sure whether online learning would suit me, but it turned out really good; the content was presented in a quite interactive manner. So even though I was just sitting in front of my computer, it didn't feel like that. 

The second part of the postgraduate (CIH) was less clinical and more about 'the bigger picture' and how to organise health care in certain situations. In this course my background in anthropology and midwifery really came together. Each course component dealt with a different angle and each week a new and interesting topic was highlighted. I thoroughly enjoyed this course! The interaction with my fellow classmates was also wonderful. I gained valuable insights from the diverse backgrounds and contexts of everyone. The varied assessment methods often allowed us to collaborate in diverse groups which was personally and educationally enriching.

So far this is the only ITM course I took, but I look forward to taking more once I have gained enough work experience.