Geneva WHO Collaborating Centre for Research in Human Reproduction

Postgraduate Course for Training in
Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology

Since 1991, a postgraduate course takes place in the clinic in collaboration with the WHO Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), and grants a University certificate and diploma in reproductive medicine and reproductive biology. It is provided for a small number of graduates in medicine and biology interested in reproductive health. The course has been created by Prof. Campana in order to provide a postgraduate training in the research of reproductive health, to educate graduates in the current research of family planning and infertility, and to make the trainees acquainted with the most recent advances in the technology of these areas of research.

The Scientific Committee of the Course is represented by Profs. A. Campana, G. Benagiano (HRP-WHO), J.-J. Dreifuss, P. Sizonenko and J.-D. Vassalli.

The course for the obtention of a certificate lasts 2 months with a final examination. Each one starts in September. The teaching language is English. Lecturers are from the Faculty of Medicine of Geneva, WHO or are invited speakers from other medical schools. During the course the students will be asked to prepare a short essay on a subject proposed by the teachers of the course and to present the results of the bibliographic research. The essay will contribute with the multiple choice test to the final evaluation of the students.After having accomplished the compulsory part of the training course and successfully passed the examination for the certificate, the students will have the option to continue their research training in Geneva or to participate in a "re-entry" plan. The diploma students who choose to continue their research training in Geneva, will be required to participate in an in-depth study into a particular aspect of reproductive health.

Objectives

The postgraduate training serves to enable scientists to acquire general, structured knowledge in Reproductive Health, including the social and demographic dimensions of reproductive health problems in both developed and developing countries. Also, an in-depth knowledge of different methods of modern contraception is acquired. The final aim of the training course is to provide a basic knowledge sufficient to allow the trainees to initiate research and / or participate in research work appropriate for Reproductive Health in their home countries.

Organisation

The Postgraduate course on reproductive medicine and reproductive biology is jointly organised by the WHO Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (WHO / HRP) and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research in Human Reproduction at the University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland.

The lecture timetable comprises 72 lectures (142 hours) held over a two month period by staff members of WHO / HRP and teachers from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva, as well as from other universities.

After having accomplished the compulsory part of the training course and successfully passed the examinations the participants obtain a certificate in reproductive medicine and reproductive biology.

Participants

Over the last few years, the Clinic has received a number of students mainly from developing countries to participate in the yearly postgraduate course in reproductive medicine and reproductive biology.