DUTCH GOVT COMMENDS UDS MEDICAL SCHOOL (PAGE 18, JAN 4, 2011)

THE Netherlands government has commended the authorities of the University for Development Studies (UDS) for their efforts towards improving medical practice in Ghana.
It noted that the problem-based learning (PBL) technique being implemented in the training of medical students at the UDS would lead to the production of a new crop of doctors who have the knack to tailor medical solutions to suit the country’s socio-economic dynamics.
The Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Gerard Duijfes, made this known when he paid a visit to the Tamale campus of the UDS. He was received by the management of the UDS, headed by the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Yakubu.
The visit was to enable the ambassador to discuss with the management of the UDS ways to deepen the relationship between the two institutions. Over the years, the UDS has fostered a fruitful relationship with the Dutch government.
About four years ago, the Dutch government provided a grant of €1.2m to the UDS through the Netherlands Organisation for International Co-operation in Higher Education (NUFFIC) to support the implementation of the PBL approach in the training of its medical students.
Through this grant, the UDS equipped sections of its medical school with computers, LCD projectors and some furnishings.
It also sponsored eight medical students to pursue Master’s in Health Education, who later returned and transferred the skills acquired to the train other medical students at the UDS.
Mr Duijfjes described the UDS as an institution committed to implementing innovative ways of learning and utilising local knowledge to training a new crop of professionals.
He said the relationship existing between the UDS and the Netherlands was mutually beneficial because the UDS was engaged in the exchange of knowledge and expertise with other universities in The Netherlands.
The ambassador gave the assurance that the Dutch government would continue to explore ways of supporting the UDS, particularly in building the university’s capacity in the areas of research and academic training.
The university authorities briefed the envoy on the progress of the medical school and the general operation of the university.
The VC noted that the medical school had surmounted its teething challenges and that management was willing to ensure its growth.
The Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), Sir Dr Edward , said the desire to adopt innovative ways of teaching and learning had linked the UDS to universities in The Netherlands.
He mentioned, for instance, that the curriculum for the PBL approach was adopted from the University of Maastricht in The Netherlands and therefore expressed hope of further partnership.