WHO Designations

In June 1986, the UIC College of Nursing became the first U.S. institution to be designated as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) in Nursing and Midwifery.

Collaborating Centres "are institutions such as research institutes, parts of universities or academies, which are designated by the [WHO] Director-General to carry out activities in support of the Organization's programmes." We have maintained our designation as the PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for International Nursing Development in Primary Health Care for over 30 years.

The UIC College of Nursing designation as a WHO Collaborating Centre indicates the college's "scientific and technical standing" at national and international levels, and the high "quality of its scientific and technical leadership" in nursing. In keeping with the mission of the UIC, the College of Nursing has pledged its leadership to the creation of a network of nursing educational institutions oriented to primary healthcare and its support of nursing leadership capabilities of other countries as to effect the changes required in nursing practice, research, education, and service.

The WHO Collaborating Centre serves as a resource to nurses around the world. We continually work with WHO to promote technical cooperation among countries, to develop and share educational materials, to disseminate information, and to initiate collaborative nursing research projects of regional and international significance.

Our WHOCC designation includes Terms of Reference (TOR) and a plan of work, which includes collaboration in activities related to development of nursing education, practice, research, and leadership to strengthen human resources for health and promote innovative primary healthcare practices.