UCCSMS Shares Experience in Medical Training with Great Zimbabwe University

Two officials from Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) have paid a courtesy call on the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K. T. Oduro, as part of their working visit to the University. The two officials were Prof. Godfrey Muguti, a Professor of Surgery, and Mrs. Sinikwe Gwatidzo, Registrar of GZU. Briefing the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Muguti said GZU was preparing earnestly to establish a Medical School and, therefore, their visit was to learn at first hand best practice from the UCC School of Medical Sciences, which has become the number one medical school in Ghana due to its unique curriculum. He said they were ready to learn from the experiences and administrative strategies of management and faculty of UCCSMS. Prof. Muguti made reference to the strong historic links between Ghana and Zimbabwe and stressed on the need for both Universities to strengthen the relationship to project their respective institutions on a higher pedestal. Responding, Prof. Oduro expressed delight at the decision of GZU to make UCCSMS a model for designing its Medical School. He noted that though UCC established its medical school ten years ago, it had carved a niche for itself in terms of its innovative curriculum and professional approach to training medical doctors. He said UCC’s method of training was centered on community experience, adding “Our medical students have orientation towards community life through our Community Base Experience Service programme where they spend certain period of time in rural areas so that they understand the activities and other factors that have direct impact on the health of the people”. Prof. Oduro assured the officials of UCC’s willingness to assist them through sharing knowledge and best practices. He told the visitors that UCC would furnished them with the requisite information and strategies that would guide them to successfully establish a first-class medical school. Present at the meeting were the Dean, UCCSMS, Prof. Francis Ofei; Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Jeff Onyame; College Registrar, Mr. Gordon Mensah and the Faculty Officer of UCCSMS, Mr. Eugene Hesse.