APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30th June 2025
The Albertina Sisulu Executive Leadership Program in Health (ASELPH) is a unique collaborative program through the University of Pretoria that was jointly developed and initially implemented with contributions from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, and the National and Provincial Departments of Health in South Africa. A key aim is to improve the South African health system through the training of health workers to become exceptional executive leaders, who are better able to drive local health system strengthening and performance.
The Program is focussed on developing Executives (middle and senior health system managers or clinicians) for the unique environment and challenges of the South African health system; this 120-credit (1200 learning hours) postgraduate diploma covers modules in Leadership, Ethics, Strategic Planning, Health sector Transformation, Decentralization & health service re-engineering; Complex Problem Solving, Financial Management, Human Resources For Health, Quality Improvement, Strategic Marketing and Communication and Monitoring and Evaluation. Innovative teaching and learning approaches include peer learning, case study methodology, reflective learning and mentorship. Each Fellow completes a research project and 12 core and elective modules. These are provided through a hybrid learning approach which includes pre-module online work, a 3-day contact class per module at the University of Pretoria and post module assignments. In all, there are approximately 35 contact class days in 6 blocks (Mon-Sat) over a calendar year.
This is a call for applications for the 8th cohort of the Albertina Sisulu Executive Leadership Program in Health starting in February 2026 at the University of Pretoria. This is a part-time Postgraduate Diploma in Health Systems Management in Executive Leadership.
Target Group: Those in middle and senior management and leadership positions, including clinicians, in the health system are encouraged to apply. Applicants from NGOs, technical agencies and the private health sector are also welcome to apply for the training programme. Preference is for current public health sector employees.
Minimum Requirements for Admission are a three-year University Bachelor’s Degree (NQF 7 or above) and a minimum of four years management experience in the health sector.
University funding support is not provided. However, Partial or Full Tuition Bursaries may be available for applicants who are public health sector employees from provincial health services as well as municipal health services, through respective provincial or HWSETA bursaries. It is anticipated that relevant Departments of Health may also cover travel and accommodation costs. .
Preference is for current South African public health sector employees and will be for those who have not had any previous postgraduate training in public health, management or leadership programs and/or those who have not benefited from any prior health sector financial support for any form of training.
Application and Selection Process: All SA public health sector officials eligible for consideration will be subjected to a joint Provincial DOH / ASELPH Recruitment, Interview and Selection process. Applications, together with supporting documents (ID, CV, motivation letter and copy of qualifications labelled with prospective applicant’s student number) must be submitted online at: https://www.up.ac.za/online-application/article/2445192/online-application-instructions
For further information contact Mr Lesiba Mpati at [email protected]
[ Download the above (Updated 25 May 2025)]
The South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP) is now accepting applications for the 2026 class, from qualified health professionals with an interest in public health and a commitment to public service.
Field Epidemiology Training Programmes (FETPs) have been established in many countries around the world to provide training and develop competencies that are essential for effective disease detection, investigation, control, and prevention, with a goal of enhancing the health security of communities. FETP trainees spend a maximum time (75%) in the field, and 25% in the classroom, where they develop practical skills to collect, analyse, and use data to address priority public health issues
and inform policy.
The South African FETP is hosted by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Services for the National Department of Health . SAFETP offers a full-time two-year residency programme, which provides training and practical experience in applied epidemiology, and aims to develop specialist skills to evaluate and strengthen public health surveillance systems, investigate and control outbreaks, and conduct field studies to address public health priority issues.
Training is provided mainly through on-the-job service provision and learning activities. A trainee who successfully completes the programme is awarded a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Field Epidemiology from either the University of Pretoria or the University of the Witwatersrand.
The next cohort of trainees will begin in January 2026 and end in December 2027. Qualified professionals who are interested in joining the cohort should submit their applications before 01 July 2025.
Applicants who are funded by their employers must ensure that this funding covers their salaries/stipends, as well as university registration and tuition fees for the two-year training period.
Applicants currently working within the South African government at various levels, who plan to take study leave to participate in the programme and afterwards return to their workplace, must have written approval from their departments.
A limited number of bursaries/scholarships may be available for selected applicants fulfilling predefined criteria.
Limited places may be offered to applicants from selected Southern African countries who meet the entry requirements, and are supported by their governments. Such applicants must be eligible for the required visa/permit to study in South Africa. The applicant must also ensure that their employer/government has agreed to fully cover the costs related to their participation in SAFETP for the two years of training - including salaries/stipends, university registration and tuition fees, living expenses while studying
in South Africa.
Copyright © University of Pretoria 2025. All rights reserved.
Virtual Campus
Get Social With Us
Download the UP Mobile App