APCOVE: Field Epidemiology Training Opportunity for Veterinarians!
Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE) is pleased to invite expressions of interest for field veterinary epidemiology training from eligible candidates in the following target countries: Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste and PNG.
What is APCOVE?
APCOVE was established in 2020 with funding from The Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to strengthen veterinary epidemiology capacity in the Asia Pacific region. It involves more than 40 veterinary epidemiologists and animal health experts from Australia, New Zealand, the US and the target countries.
What does APCOVE training involve?
APCOVE field epidemiology training comprises three components:
1. Online training: It includes 30 online modules, each of about 1-hour duration covering six competencies: Fundamental skills, Outbreak investigation, Surveillance, Risk assessment, One Health and Leadership. Candidates will undertake these modules in their own time and receive a certificate1 after completion of each competency and an additional one after successful completion of all six competencies. In addition, candidates will receive a prize of AU$100 after completion of each of the competencies (i.e., a total of AU$600). We aim to
select a maximum of 20 candidates from each of the target countries for online training.
2. Hands-on projects: Candidates successfully completing the online training will be eligible to submit a proposal to undertake a hands-on project. A maximum of five candidates from each of the participating countries will be selected based on their performance in online training and the quality of their submitted proposals. Each of the selected candidates will receive A$5000 to conduct a field project for 6 months under the supervision of a mentor.
3. Visiting fellowship: The best performing candidate from each country will be offered a fellowship to visit Australia for a month after the completion of their project. APCOVE will cover most of the travel costs of visiting fellows including airfares, accommodation and meals. Each fellow will work with an Australian mentor to learn advanced epidemiology skills.
Who is eligible to apply?
All veterinarians currently working in the field, or with previous experience working in the field, are eligible to apply. Applicants must have access to a computer and the internet, although the modules will also be accessible from mobile devices. They must have adequate computer literacy and be able to use at least MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Excel. Applicants should also be able to read and understand English with at least basic proficiency. Although preference will be given to veterinarians in Government roles, private veterinarians involved in field practice are also encouraged to apply. Recent university graduates can apply but preference will be given to applicants with field experience. Applications are also encouraged from those who have previously completed or are currently undertaking field epidemiology training. Animal science graduates may be chosen in countries where sufficient numbers of veterinarians are not available. Women and those with a disability are encouraged to apply. There are no fees for undertaking this training.
How to apply?
Expressions of interest should be submitted here by 15 April 2021:
For any queries, please write to Dr Harish Tiwari at Harish.Tiwari@sydney.edu.au or
Ms Meg Vost at meg.vost@sydney.edu.au.
