34 Excellence in Higher Education
THE VALUE OF AN INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL DEGREE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS HAVE TO PREPARE THEIR MEDICAL STUDENTS TO FACE THE REALITIES OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL WORLD. UNIVERSITIES THAT ARE WELL EQUIPPED TO OFFER GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN HELPING STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL IN TERMS OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND TRANSFERABLE SKILLS SUCH AS COMMUNICATION AND TEAMWORK.
T
he exposure to diverse faculty and peers in the setting of an international university shapes the cognitive and interpersonal skills of students and breaks down the barriers that would otherwise exist in a less diverse setting. A culturally diverse learning environment is essential for teaching, learning, and research, and the educational environment is enhanced and enriched by a true blend of voices and experiences from across all cultures.
DR MARIOS LOUKAS, MD, PhD, the Dean of the School of Medicine at St. George’s University, Grenada, addresses the true value of an international medical programme.
When studying in an international environment, medical students become exposed and comfortable with powerful multicultural experiences that change preconceived perspectives and build maturity. These students are equipped with the assets, tools, and flexibility to provide better patient care by thinking outside of the box, an important skill in the ever-changing
medical field. Students attending an international medical school abroad will also become more familiar with the local health concerns, which may differ significantly from the ones they are used to seeing. At St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, we have believed in a global outlook towards medical education since our founding in 1976, when we pioneered the concept of international medical education. To this day, we are a medical school with a worldwide mission. SGU draws students, graduates, and faculty from more than 150 countries and has contributed over 19,000 physicians to the global physician workforce. This long, proud, and verifiable history of success is supported by implementing a curriculum that is built on fostering diversity, and one that is taught across the globe. Students at SGU have the opportunity to start their studies in Grenada, the UK, or India, and can complete clinical rotations at one of over 70
