Dubai: The Mohammad Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) has announced the participation of its first and second cohorts of medical students in its Summer Studentship Placement Programme.
The programme, now in its second year, is a collaboration between MBRU, local and international research centres, academic institutions and health care facilities.
Starting from June until the end of August, a total of 71 first and second year medical students will be taking up placement opportunities in the UAE and abroad.
Locally, the students will undertake research at MBRU, Harvard Medical School Centre for Global Health Delivery, Johnson and Johnson, and Al Jalila Children’s Hospital in Dubai, as well as in Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi.
Others will participate in clinical observerships at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City, Cleveland Clinic and Corniche Hospital in Abu Dhabi, as well as volunteer at the Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Mediclinic City Hospital Dubai.
Internationally, students will undertake research and clinical observership placements at prestigious institutions, including Mayo Clinic, Louis University, and Joslin Diabetes Centre in the US.
The programme provides work and learning experience by immersing the students in real-life research, medical and volunteering environments. Students will get the opportunity to interact with leading clinicians and research scientists as well as engage with patients. They will also be given the opportunity to focus on specific medical cases, and to help solve medical issues under the guidance of medical experts.
Professor Alawi Al Shaikh Ali, dean of the College of Medicine at MBRU, said: “The Summer Studentship Placement Programme is in its second-round now, last year it was very successful. Our students were able to see and apply what they have learnt during the course of the year first-hand. As a first or second year medical student, shadowing a physician locally or abroad really sets you apart. It allows students to develop a global perspective on health care, and learn what it means to be a working medical professional. We strongly believe that such programmes are key when it comes to transformative learning experiences.”
Second year student Maryam Eisa Al Obeidli, who will conduct her summer studentship at the King Hussain Cancer Centre in Jordan, said: “I think this is a great opportunity which will allow me to delve into the world of oncology, it will teach me about building bonds with patients, and in this specific case, cancer patients.”
MBRU also provided 42 students with funding to support them during their placements. The students will be going to six local and 11 international centres.
