Overview

The mission of the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) and Faculty of Tropical Medicine (FTM), Mahidol University―SEAMEO TROPMED Thailand is to address health system needs by developing and strengthening capacity for health research through teaching and research for advanced knowledge in tropical medicine. Hence, both institutions agreed to collaborate on the development and implementation of Foreign Graduate Scholarship (FGS) Programs in Tropical Medicine. 

The FGS-TropMed offers exciting opportunities for research training particularly on tropical diseases. The program aims to provide opportunities to deserving students to study and obtain graduate degrees abroad and develop a pool of high-quality human resources who will contribute to the country’s global competitiveness and economic development. 

Programs

Doctor of Philosophy in Tropical Medicine

The three-year multidisciplinary program offers broad areas in Tropical Medicine including Protozoology, Helminthology, Medical Entomology, Microbiology and Immunology, Social and Environmental Medicine, Tropical Hygiene, Tropical Nutrition and Food Science, Tropical Pathology and Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics focusing on active learning experience in well-equipped laboratory and at field site to equip graduates with multidisciplinary knowledge and skills in Tropical Medicine.

Master of Science in Tropical Medicine

The two-year program focuses on equipping students with scientific knowledge on tropical diseases, public health and related subjects. The goal of the program is to provide a balanced education that combines knowledge, skills, and moral values. The program has been developed to stimulate students to embrace life-long learning in scientific research, develop their soft and communication skills, and build their leadership ability.

Capacity

One (1) position for the PhD program and two (2) positions for the MSc program will be available each year at FTM Mahidol University―SEAMEO TROPMED Thailand (subject to the availability of funds).

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant must:

1. be a Filipino citizen;
2. be in good health condition; 
3. not be more than 50 years old at the time of application;
4. have completed BSc/MSc degree in related field of study;
5. have an outstanding academic record; 
6. pass the admission requirements of Mahidol University for the MSc/PhD study; 
7. pass the interview and other screening procedures;
8. have research interests aligned with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA);
9. conduct their research for the entire duration of the scholarship and of the MSc/PhD Program; and
10. be willing to render the required service obligation for a period equivalent to twice the length of time or a fraction thereof that they enjoyed the MSc/PhD scholarship.

Scholarship Privileges

1. Tuition and other school fees;
2. Learning materials and/or connectivity allowance;
3. Outright thesis/dissertation grant (upon request);
4. Pre-departure expenses (one-time only);
5. One round-trip economy fare from residence to Thailand (start and end of the scholarship period only); 
6. Living/subsistence allowance; and
7. Health and accident insurance

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Note: An Applicant who has already started their studies abroad prior to application to the scholarship program can no longer apply.

2024 TIMELINE

HOW TO APPLY

Program Admission at Mahidol University

• Doctor of Philosophy in Tropical Medicine (Plan2.1) 4801DG00
• Master of Science in Tropical Medicine (PlanA2) 4801MG00

To apply, visit Mahidol University’s Online Admission System (for foreigner). After submitting your application to Mahidol University, send your CV to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for initial evaluation/screening.

Scholarship Application

Requirements

1. Curriculum vitae (CV)
2. Letter of Acceptance from Mahidol University
3. Accomplished Application form with recent ID picture
4. Endorsement letters from two (2) former professors in college for MSc applicant or two (2) former professors in the MSc Program for PhD applicant
5. If employed:
   • Certificate of Employment
   • Recommendation letter from Head of Agency
   • Permission to take a leave of absence (LOA) while on scholarship
6. Testamurs for all qualifications undertaken (i.e. Certificate of Bachelor’s Degree for MSc applicants/Master’s Degree for PhD applicants)
7. Transcript of records (Certified true copy)
8. Accomplished Re-entry Action Plan form (narrative)

*All documentary requirements must be submitted not later than April 30, 2024 (Tuesday).

Applicant/s who were able to pass the interview will be asked to submit the following:

1. PSA Birth Certificate (Photocopy)
2. Valid NBI Clearance (Original)
3. Medical Certificate as to health status from a licensed physician with their PRC license number indicated

Applicant/s who will be accepted in the program will be asked to submit the following before departure to Thailand: 

• Budgetary Requirements – attach at least three (3) airfare and three (3) health and accident insurance canvasses (include respective website references)
• Program of Study/Course Curriculum from Mahidol University

Submission of documents:

• For advance (scanned) copies of documents, send via email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Subject: 2024 MSc/PhD TropMed Application_(Surname, First Name)

• For hard copy of documents, send to:

Overview

The Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), the University of Trieste (UniTS) and Fondazione Italiana Fegato (FIF) entered into an Agreement to develop and implement a program focused on molecular hepatology within the PhD Program in Molecular Biomedicine of UniTS. The three-year program integrates basic research and clinics focusing on the study of molecular approaches to cancer biology, genetics, jaundice, and metabolic diseases in the liver. 

The applicant’s research interests must be aligned with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA). 

Program Objectives

The PhD program aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. Develop a pool of high-quality human resources in molecular biomedicine (molecular hepatology in particular) who will contribute to the country’s global competitiveness and economic development;
2. Provide opportunities to deserving students to study and obtain PhD degrees in molecular biomedicine in reputable institutions abroad; 
3. Contribute to the country’s health research and technological innovation capabilities through training in biomedical research; and
4. Create the basis for a Filipino Liver Network integrating basic and clinical research in liaison with FIF.

Capacity

Two (2) positions for the PhD program are available each year at UniTS-FIF (subject to the availability of funds).

Eligibility

The applicant must:

1. be a Filipino citizen;
2. be in good health condition; 
3. not be more than 50 years old at the time of application;
4. have a Master’s degree in a field relevant to health and biomedicine;
5. have an outstanding academic record; 
6. have passed the admission requirements for the PhD study; 
7. have passed the interview and other screening procedures;
8. not avail or enjoy any other scholarships; and
9. be willing to render the required service obligation for a period equivalent to twice the length of time or a fraction thereof that they enjoyed the PhD scholarship.

Scholarship Privileges

1. School fees (i.e. bench fees, permits, etc.)
2. Learning materials and/or connectivity allowance
3. Living/subsistence allowance
4. Health and accident insurance
5. One round-trip economy fare from residence to Italy (start and end of the scholarship period only)
6. Pre-departure allowance (one-time only)
7. Outright dissertation grant

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Note: An applicant who has already started their studies abroad prior to application to the scholarship program can no longer apply.

2024 TIMELINE 

HOW TO APPLY

Please check the eligibility criteria in this Call before submitting your application. To signify interest in applying for the PhD scholarship program, applicants may submit their CVs on or before March 15, 2024 (Friday) through the online portal. Only eligible applicants will be entertained. 

Eligible applicants will be asked to submit the following documents for the initial screening: 

1) Application Form and 2) Re-Entry Action Plan. 

For submission of documents and any other inquiries, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Filipino researchers Dr. Vicente Y. Belizario, Jr. and Dr. Carlos Primero D. Gundran of the University of the Philippines Manila highlighted the interconnection of health and the environment in a special session during the 16th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week last 10 August 2023, at the Summit Hotel, Tacloban City. 

With the theme “Building Resilience at the Nexus of Health and Environment,” the talks focused on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), disasters, and how they are exacerbated by rapid environmental changes. 

Schistosomiasis prevalence in the Philippines

In his talk, Dr. Belizario, who is an expert in tropical medicine and public health, discussed the increasing prevalence of schistosomiasis in the Philippines. Schistosomiasis (SCH) is identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the NTDs to be addressed to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the common disease outcomes are anemia, stunting, malnutrition, impaired cognitive development in children, portal hypertension, and in some cases, death. 

“Kailangan na ‘ho i-emphasize ang NTDs para pati po tayong lahat, makatulong sa DOH at sa Pilipinas, makarating sa control and elimination by 2030,” Dr. Belizario emphasized. 

Currently, there are seven Asian countries in which SCH is endemic, including the Philippines, with a national prevalence of 4.0% in 2019. In a study on the pockets of high SCH endemicity in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte in 2019, an 8.1% prevalence was recorded among children, while the prevalence among adults was 9.8%.

According to Dr. Belizario, the most common host of Schistosoma japonicum, the disease-causing parasite, is water buffalos or kalabaw. Due to the kalabaw being an integral part of Filipino livelihoods, especially in rural communities, one of the major challenges in addressing the disease is the continuous exposure to the parasites in daily living; followed by a lack of sensitivity in diagnostic methods for the disease. 

Health amid disasters and climate change 

Focusing on disaster risk reduction and management, Dr. Carlos Primero D. Gundran, Director of the University of the Philippines Manila Center for Innovations for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health, explained the detrimental health effects of climate change. “Disasters could contribute or could cause death, disease, injury, disability,” said Dr. Gundran. 

Environmental changes such as extreme temperatures exacerbated natural disasters, and deteriorating air quality impact health according to Dr. Gundran. In 2022, the Philippines is among the top 10 countries with the most natural disasters as recorded by Statista.

Changing temperatures and high precipitation may contribute to the increased spread of vector-borne and water-borne diseases, while the occurrence of extreme events may affect an individual’s mental health. Climate change can also cause limited and contaminated food supply, which in turn, influences nutrition. 

One Health as a Solution

A proposed solution by researchers to control schistosomiasis and mitigate the health effects of climate change is the One Health Approach. The WHO defines One Health as an “approach to designing and implementing programs, policies, legislation, and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better health outcomes.” This suggests the implementation of cross-sectoral strategies to address health issues. 

Dr. Belizario highlighted the importance of collaboration between environmental health, veterinary public health, and human health to achieve targets in controlling SCH. Likewise, Dr. Gundran explained the interconnectedness of building robust response systems to mitigate the health impacts of natural disasters. 

Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya echoed the call for collaborative action for health. “We really encourage people to work across disciplines. Huwag in silos because the impact and the knowledge is lacking if we actually keep to our comfort zone,” he said. 

A replay of the session may be accessed via the DOST-PCHRD Facebook page.