The president of American International University School of Medicine, Dinesh Shukla, yesterday met with the Minister of Education Dr Alpha Wurie to introduce his university to him and the Director General of Education, Williamson Taylor.
Dr Alpha Wurie said he was happy for AIU to be in Sierra Leone and to compliment the medical college.
He said, “the government is happy for the venture” and told Mr Dinesh Shukla that he would get the support to make the venture a success.
In his short statement, Mr Williamson Taylor said the discussion with Mr Shukla was successful and the programme he wanted to introduce in Sierra Leone would be beneficial to the country.
He said the idea behind the programme was to integrate African countries together by learning and sharing of ideas.
Mr Taylor said, “the programme is meant for Africa and will complement the Medical School although the cost of training doctors in Sierra Leone is 70% cheaper”.
Explaining about the Medical School, Mr Shukla said the focus and objectives were identical with the medical school in Freetown, adding that the AIU would make a difference in Sierra Leone as they would be able to bring in standard equipment and educational materials for the medical school in Freetown.
He said the Minister was very cooperative and admirable and that he would make sure the programme become a success in the country.
Mr Shukla said the programme would kick start in September this year and that they were expecting students across West Africa. He stressed that they did not want to crowd the programme so they would limit the intake to about three or four from different countries.
Giving a short background of the medical school, Mr Shukla said it was founded with a vision to provide a well rounded education to prepare students to excel in the medical field.
The school is located in Guinea and fosters innovation, professional excellence and service. He said students would have the opportunity to learn through interaction with various hospital departments and patients.
The location of the school is in Gbessia, built to American standards and the hospital was inaugurated on 16th November 1998. He said the school offers five year medical programme leading to Doctor of Medicine to students who have successfully completed High School Baccalaureate or A levels.
The programme consists of 16 months of Pre Medical Studies followed by 20 months of basic science taught at the Conakry campus. 24 months Clinical Medicine Training is offered at high quality teaching hospitals in USA.
Mr Shukla said, “this medical school is the first in Africa offering curriculum patterned after the US medical programme and is designed to meet the licensing requirements in the USA and other countries”.
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