The WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training (WHOCC) at Imperial College London is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in health systems strengthening, capacity building, and public health workforce development.

Established in 2007, the Centre operates under the designation of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is hosted by the School of Public Health at Imperial College London under the instruction of the British Government. Our work supports the implementation of WHO’s priorities through education, training, and technical support, strengthening the capacity of health systems globally to respond to emerging public health needs.

Our Mission

To advance public health globally through high-quality education, leadership development, technical collaboration, and evidence-informed capacity building, with a focus on equity, resilience, and sustainability.

Our Vision

To be a global leader in shaping a competent, compassionate, and future-ready public health workforce through inclusive partnerships, innovation, and excellence in education and training.

You can find our activities and terms of reference described in our annual reports. Click the relevant links for more information about our privacy policy and terms.

Our Values

• Collaboration – We work across disciplines, sectors, and countries to share knowledge, co-create solutions, and innovate.
• Capacity building – We empower individuals, organisations, and systems to strengthen public health competencies globally.
• Equity – We are committed to providing equitable opportunities for education and public health knowledge.
• Excellence – Delivering high-quality, innovative, evidence-based training that meets international standards and supports continuous professional development. We strive to continually improve through a commitment to responding to feedback.
• Integrity – We uphold transparency, ethical practice, and trust in all educational, research, and advisory activities.
• Innovation – We embrace new methods, technologies, and approaches to respond to evolving public health challenges.
• Impact – Focusing on practical outcomes that translate into real improvements in public health systems and population health.

What We Do

Our work spans the following key areas:

• Health Education & Training
  Development and delivery of competency-based short courses, diplomas, and academic training in clinical medicine, public health, leadership, research, and emergency preparedness.

• Capacity Building & Workforce Development
  Supporting national and regional public health systems to strengthen their workforce through tailored technical assistance and co-developed curricula.

• Health Systems Strengthening
  Working with ministries of health, WHO country and regional offices, and academic partners to co-design interventions that address gaps in service delivery, policy, and preparedness.

• Global Research and Policy Collaboration
  Leading and contributing to multi-country research projects and policy dialogues on priority health challenges including health systems resilience, infectious disease control, digital health, climate and health, and disability inclusion.

• Accreditation and Evaluation Services
  Providing certification and evaluation services for public health education providers, ensuring alignment with global standards and best practices.

Our Reach

To date, we have collaborated with partners in over 60 countries across all WHO regions, delivering training, joint research, technical consultancy, and health system reviews. Our partnerships span ministries of health, universities, research institutes, and international organisations.

Our Team

Our multidisciplinary team includes public health practitioners, researchers, educators, and fellows committed to advancing health equity and knowledge translation globally. We also work closely with WHO headquarters, regional and country offices, and a growing alumni network of health leaders and professionals. Find out more here: Meet Our Experts

Get Involved

We welcome opportunities for collaboration in education, research, and technical support. Please contact us to explore partnerships, joint projects, or participation in our training programmes.