Expression of Interest for APCOVE Field Veterinary Epidemiology Training
The Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE) invites eligible candidates from Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia to express their interest in participating in the APCOVE Intermediate Field Veterinary Epidemiology Training.
What is APCOVE?
Established in 2020 with funding from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), APCOVE aims to strengthen veterinary epidemiology and One Health capacity across the Asia Pacific region. With a team of over 50 veterinary epidemiologists from all veterinary schools in Australia and New Zealand and animal health experts from eight target countries, APCOVE is committed to enhancing regional animal health expertise.
What Does APCOVE Training Include?
The APCOVE training program consists of four key components:
1. Online Training
The training comprises 36 self-paced online modules, each approximately 2 hours long, focused on six core competencies: Fundamental Skills, Outbreak Investigation, Surveillance, Risk Assessment, One Health, and Leadership.
- A maximum of 20 candidates per target country will be selected for the training.
- Participants may work through the modules at their convenience. However, all modules for each competency must be completed within one month. With six competencies, the entire online training is designed to be completed in six months. Up to two interactive sessions will be conducted monthly, one of which may feature guest lectures or panel discussions to enrich the learning experience.
- Participants will receive a prize of AU$ 100 for completing each competency, totalling AU$ 600 upon completing all six competencies
- Participants will receive a certificate for each completed competency and an additional final certificate upon completing all six competencies. These certificates are issued solely by APCOVE and do not represent a university degree or diploma.
2. Study Design Workshops
Study design workshops will be organised in each country to train candidates in project design and proposal writing. These three-day in-person workshops will allow participants to present their ideas for field projects and receive feedback. Additionally, the workshops will facilitate the shortlisting of candidates for field projects and the pairing of mentors with mentees.
3. Field Projects
Candidates who successfully complete the online training will be eligible to submit proposals for six months of hands-on field projects under the guidance of mentors. Selection will be based on both their performance in the online training and the quality of their proposals. Up to ten projects per participating country will be chosen, with each selected project [1] receiving AU$5,000 to cover field expenses and related costs.
[1] Group projects may be offered in Malaysia
4. Report Writing Boot Camp
A manuscript and report writing boot camp will be organised for selected candidates from all participating countries. This three-day, in-person workshop will help participants refine their project reports, prepare abstracts and presentations for conferences, and develop manuscripts for journal submission. Participants will also receive guidance on the scientific publication process and the ethical considerations related to authorship and data integrity.
Timelines
The six-month online training program will begin on 1 May 2025. Study design workshops will follow in November and December 2025, and field projects will start in January 2026. The program will conclude with a report writing boot camp in July or August 2026.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Veterinarians [2] from Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia are eligible to apply.
Applicants must have access to a computer and the Internet, be proficient in using MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, and have at least basic proficiency in reading and writing English.
[2] A veterinarian in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines is a licensed professional with a veterinary degree who diagnoses and treats animal diseases
Selection Preferences
- Priority will be given to veterinarians in government roles and those working in the field. However, veterinarians from the private and academic sectors are also eligible to apply.
- Preference will be given to those with field experience, but recent university graduates are welcome to apply.
- Veterinarians who have completed or are currently undertaking field epidemiology training are eligible.
- Applications from women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged.
Each participating country may have additional selection criteria based on national requirements.
No fees are required to participate in this training program.
How to Apply?
Submit your expression of interest by 15 March 2025 through the following link: https://sydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e2Lqhenro71weTY
For any inquiries, please contact the APCOVE team at apcove.team@sydney.edu.au.
