EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP IN GLOBAL SURGERY
Innovation and Leadership in Surgical Health Systems
Course Overview
The UCT GSB Executive Leadership in Global Surgery Course aims to enable leaders in healthcare in the public, private and voluntary sectors to become change agents within their context. Participants will be taught to design and lead evidence-based projects and programmes that improve surgical outcomes in their respective organisations, and countries, influencing surgical healthcare on a large-scale basis.
What you will walk away with
- Knowledge to implement global surgery projects and programmes through supporting and driving innovation. *Gaining clear understanding on how to apply key concepts in global surgery, surgical health systems, innovation and leadership
- Evaluating surgical systems to identify problems that can be addressed through policy and specific interventions at a facility level
- Design, introduce and scale-up appropriate surgical interventions within broader health systems, including political and financial considerations
- Participate effectively within an international network of global surgeons and practitioner
Transform Healthcare Leadership
Embark on a transformative journey to become a pivotal change agent in healthcare through our meticulously crafted Executive Leadership in Global Surgery Course at UCT GSB. Tailored for leaders across public, private, and voluntary domains within the healthcare sector, this programme is designed for those who aspire to elevate surgical outcomes and shape the global landscape of surgical healthcare through evidence-based strategies. Dive into our comprehensive course overview to unearth the essential knowledge and skills needed for effectively designing and leading impactful projects and programmes.
Additional Course Information
Module Breakdown
Curriculum Overview
Module 1
Global Surgery Foundations
- Introduction to Global Surgery
- Health Systems Strengthening
- Introduction to leadership
Module 2
Innovation
- Principles of innovation
- Targeted versus Systems Level Innovation (ecosystem mapping)
- Asset Mapping
- Integrating Innovations into the Global Surgery Context
Module 3
Implementation
- Systems Thinking
- Introduction to Advocacy and Community Engagemen
- Introduction to Bureaucracy and public policy
Module 4
Resource management
- Leadership vs Management
- Management Principles
- Project management
- Global Surgery ethics
- Models of improvement
Module 5
Leadership
- Change Management
- Global Advocacy
- Global Diplomacy
Minimum Requirements:
- National Senior Certificate, NQF 4 or equivalent
- English proficiency
- Leadership experience
Who should apply:
- Leaders in the public, private and voluntary healthcare sectors involved in surgical care
- Executives and administrators who can impact system change as policymakers
Block Dates:
- Prescribed reading and webinars - 09 March – 20 March 2026
- Contact Week - 23 March - 27 March 2026
- Project implementation - April - June 2026 (Online)
- Project completion and submissions - July 2026 (Online)
- Presentation and certification - 28 August 2026 (In-Person in Cape Town)
What our alumni say
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Our Internationally acclaimed researchers and teachers are all dedicated and gifted individuals who contribute directly to UCT GSB's reputation of excellence.
Senior Medical Officer
Head: Executive Education
Course Convenor
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OUR PARTNERS
Based in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town (UCT), Global surgery is an area of study, research, practice, and advocacy that seeks to improve health outcomes and achieve health equity for all who require surgical, obstetric, and anesthesia care. Our vision is of a world in which all people have access to quality, comprehensive, surgical care. Our mission is to improve the quality of surgical care in Africa through education, research, implementation and advocacy. We have a special emphasis on underserved populations and populations in crisis, and on improving equity and social justice in healthcare systems. As part of our efforts to become a centre of excellence in Global Surgery, we aim to: develop an academic program that will build surgical leadership in global health; create an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary Global Surgery hub at UCT; and provide global leadership in the provision of high-quality, cost-effective surgical care.
FAQ
15% for 3 - 6 applicants (bulk discount applied from third applicant)
10% for 7+ applicants (bulk discount applied to all applicants)
10% for alumni of UCT GSB academic and Executive Education courses
The UCT GSB's Breakwater Campus is situated in the heart of Cape Town's most popular tourist attraction, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Centrally located and easily accessed, the UCT GSB is just 1.5km away from the central business district and 20 minutes from Cape Town International Airport.
As an added benefit to studying at the UCT GSB, you'll be situated in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Certificate of completion
Flights & accommodation costs are not included.
The course is a non-credit-bearing course delivered at the equivalent of an NQF 8 postgraduate level of study.
The course is accredited through UCT, which is a registered public higher education institution with the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Each programme is accredited through an internal UCT quality assurance process, as delegated by the CHE, ensuring the excellent quality of our offering.
In short, this course does not refer to NQF levels.
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