The growth and diversity of UICC’s eLearning courses

First launched in 2014, UICC's online learning offer initially comprised blended learning options that integrated online methods with in-person workshops at the World Cancer Congress. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of many in-person events in 2020 and 2021, UICC leveraged the opportunity to transition to an entirely online format and expand the capacity of its eLearning courses, allowing and enabling a greater reach and impact of its online learning opportunities. This shift allowed participants to access materials and courses at their own pace and convenience, whilst also being able to attend live sessions and interact directly with other participants. 

In 2023, 495 participants from UICC member organisations engaged in an online course. The curriculum included six Master courses on topics ranging from advocacy, law, and policy for cancer prevention and control, to improved access to essential cancer medicines, comprehensive cancer centres, financing for universal health coverage, and supportive care. 12 self-guided courses were also available.  

This marks significant growth compared to 2022, which saw 305 individuals participating in five Master courses and 10 self-guided courses – with the average per course participation increasing from 72 to 83. 

Furthermore, this past November, a six-month online training programme on ‘Essentials of Leadership and Management for Civil Society Organisations in Cancer Control’ was launched, available in English, French, and Spanish. 

“I find the live sessions very valuable because it is a real-time interaction and an opportunity to ask for clarifications for the topics discussed in all the modules. It is a dynamic learning experience that adapts to the needs of the participants. The opportunity to connect with the experts and fellow participants is an added bonus.”   
– Maria Victoria Arjona, Icanserve Foundation Inc, Philippines (Participant in the Master course ‘Comprehensive cancer centres: a cornerstone for improving cancer control systems’) 

Diversity and inclusion 

UICC's online courses cater to a wide geographical audience with diverse professional interests. The 2023 courses drew participants from 84 countries, representing every region of the world. Notably, nearly half of the participants hailed from Africa and the Asia-Pacific regions. Participants were affiliated with cancer societies, hospitals, treatment centres, research institutes, and patient support groups, primarily holding senior management, project management, or medical professional roles. 

Where possible, courses are accredited by the Accreditation Council of Oncology in Europe (ACOE). In 2023, UICC awarded 120 certificates, equating to a total of 784 CME credits. This number is expected to rise as the final courses draw to a close at the end of the year. 

The five courses comprised 475 webinars, 55 live sessions and 70 discussion board activities. These live sessions were designed to deepen understanding of each module's topics, facilitate connections with experts, and encourage exchange of perspectives and practices among participants. The interactive elements of UICC's online learning have seen significant development, enhancing the overall educational experience. 

Participant feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 for improving knowledge on the topics covered in the courses, demonstrating consistently high standards. The flexibility and global collaborative opportunities offered by the platform were also highlighted. 

“The whole course was very impactful to me as I had no prior budget advocacy knowledge and this opened my eyes to not only the semantics but also the politics of it.” 
– Sarah Kutika Nyagabona, Hope for the Future, Tanzania (participant in the Master course ‘Financing for universal health coverage in the context of cancer control’) 

Beyond individual learning, UICC's online courses have facilitated the expansion of professional networks, informal collaborations and contributions to publications by participants. 

UICC would like to acknowledge the support of MSD, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, La Roche Posay and the collective expertise of 124 presenters from the global cancer control community, for the success of UICC's online learning activities in 2023 and their commitment to community-driven education and development.