The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry was proud to welcome medical faculty from China from September 30 to October 11, 2019.
A two-week exchange of ideas is helping improve medical education practices at both the University of Alberta and two medical schools in China.
From September 30 to October 11, the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD) welcomed 36 medical faculty members from Wenzhou Medical University and Shandong University Cheeloo College of Medicine in China as part of a program designed to share best practices, build new partnerships and contribute to better global health.
Now in its second year, the International Faculty Development Program is part of the FoMD's programs for international trainees offered by its offices of Faculty Development and International Programs. The curriculum was designed to build capacity in other medical schools around the world by sharing and showcasing medical teaching and learning at the U of A. Last year, the program brought 31 participants from China's Jilin University for a four-day visit to campus.
"We were thrilled to host the medical faculty members from Wenzhou and Shandong, and I'm very excited for the future of this program," said Mia Lang, associate dean of Faculty Development, co-Vice Dean, Education and one of the program's organizers. "Learning knows no borders, no boundaries, and continuing to build these kinds of partnerships with medical professionals around the world is important to helping us serve our communities better, both in Alberta and globally."
In an effort to expose the visitors to as much of the FoMD experience as possible, this year's program was expanded to two weeks and focused on the faculty's undergraduate medical education curriculum, and how faculty members are trained to teach students. Over the two weeks of the visit, the 36 visitors attended 27 lectures and workshops, participated in 14 class and lab observations, had 12 meetings with faculty and enjoyed personalized tours of the Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, Royal Alexandra Hospital and the University of Alberta campus.
Although the schedule was busy, Lang says this year's visit was an overwhelming success, with participants expressing very positive feedback for the program. Her team is currently exploring options for next year's visit, reaching out to other universities across the globe. The hope is to be able to host two visits in 2020, Spring and Fall, to continue expanding the program and the global partnerships it helps create.