The main role of our office is to run a short course in tropical medicine, the Training Course of Tropical Medicine (TTM). This course aims to support medical and co-medical personnel and others who plan to work in the tropical countries by providing opportunities to learn a broad range of skills and knowledge relevant to practicing medicine, implementing disease control programs and conducting medical research in tropical and Low-and Middle-Income Countries.
The course began in 1978 with 10 participants, and the number of participants was increased to 15 in 2000. Since, over 15 participants attended the course in each year. In 2022, an online course became available for individuals who cannot attend on-site in the Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN). As of the 46th course in 2023, a total of 636 participants from all over Japan have completed the course and 34 participants have registered the online course. The course is managed by the steering committee, which includes members from both inside and outside NEKKEN.
During the thirteen weeks (April to June), full-time staff members of NEKKEN and a substantial number of visiting professors and lecturers provide lectures, laboratory practical, and field work in the fields of virology, bacteriology, protozoology, parasitology, medical entomology, pathology, immunogenetics, epidemiology, human ecology, social medicine, clinical medicine as well as geography and culture of the tropics. Participants who successfully completed the on-site course are awarded the Diploma in Tropical Medicine, while participants who completed the online course are awarded the Certificate.