The World Physiotherapy accreditation committee has agreed, at its meeting in February, to grant accreditation to four physiotherapy entry level education programmes: one in Qatar and three in China.
The accreditation of the programmes at Qatar University, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Tongji University bring the total number of programmes accredited by World Physiotherapy to 22 in 13 countries/territories.
World Physiotherapy’s accreditation service made seven site visits during 2024. Site visits to Rosario University in Colombia, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Binzhou Medical University, both in China, took place in May 2024, in addition to the site visits to Qatar University, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Tongji University.
World Physiotherapy would like to thank the 10 education experts from our member organisations in eight countries/territories (Chile, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Thailand, United States) who were involved in the review process for these programmes, for their valuable contribution to raising physiotherapy education standards around the world.
Ingrid Alexandra Tolosa Guzman, head of programme at Rosario University in Colombia, said: “The international accreditation of the physiotherapy programme at Rosario University in 2019, followed by its reaccreditation in 2024 by World Physiotherapy, marked a key milestone in its development, reaffirming our commitment to academic excellence and continuous improvement in undergraduate physiotherapy education.
“Since the beginning of this process in 2017, international training standards and a culture of quality have been strengthened, positively impacting our students, faculty, and graduates. The reaccreditation has reinforced our position as a benchmark programme in Colombia and Latin America, facilitating global recognition of our physiotherapists and expanding opportunities for collaboration within academic and research networks. This journey has enabled us to align our curriculum with international best practices, ensuring that our graduates are highly competent professionals, well-prepared to meet global challenges.”
Xia Shen, head of the programme at Tongji University in China, said: “Since first obtaining conditional accreditation in 2019, the physical therapy programme at Tongji University has made continuous and significant progress. Following full accreditation in 2021 and successful re-accreditation in 2024, this World Physiotherapy accreditation journey has consistently driven improvements in the quality of our education. Adhering to World Physiotherapy’s educational standards framework, we have actively incorporated invaluable suggestions from World Physiotherapy accreditation experts, continuously pushed forward teaching reforms and innovations, integrated and optimised teaching resources, strengthened faculty team development, and refined our quality control mechanisms.”
Linzette Morris, department head of rehabilitation sciences, Qatar University, said: “World Physiotherapy accreditation of the BSc. in physiotherapy programme at Qatar University is a historic milestone, demonstrating the programme’s alignment with international standards. For Qatar, this accreditation strengthens its position as a regional leader in healthcare education, ensuring that graduates are trained to global standards. It also reassures patients, employers, and policymakers that Qatar is producing highly competent physiotherapists, ready to meet the growing demand for rehabilitation services. For Qatar University, as the nation’s only BSc physiotherapy entry-to-practice programme, this accreditation serves as validation of the programme’s rigorous curriculum, cutting-edge facilities, and strong clinical training framework.
“This achievement is just the beginning. It sets the stage for further advances in physiotherapy education in Qatar.”
One site visit site has already taken place in 2025, and a number of other site visits are due to take place in three different World Physiotherapy regions later in the year.
New applications for accreditation will be accepted in early 2026.
