Burundi’s Medical University Tours Ghana’s University

To enhance academic work in Burundi

By Benson Afful

An eight-man delegation from the University of Burundi Faculty of Medicine paid a courtesy call on the management of Ghana’s University for Development Authority to explore the university’s flagship program “Problem Based Learning (PBL) to enhance academic work in Burundi.

The delegation led by Prof J. Baptiste Ngomirakiza-Hepato, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, arrived at UDS Main campus in the Northern part of Ghana for a five-day visit. The aim, to learn about how UDS started and still maintained the Third Trimester Field Practical Program (TTFPP), known as PBL, a community-based program. It was also to interact with management and faculty lecturers to learn about its (UDS) method in sustaining its medical school.

He reiterated the commitment of the government and management of Burundi University to deepen their relations with Ghana for more collaboration to enhance quality educational standards between the two universities.

Welcoming the delegates at his office, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UDS Professor Seidu Al-Hassan commended them for the effort. Saying the University has been embarking on the TTFP to ensure quality graduates.

“It was not an easy task when we first started the program; as we encountered numerous challenges. Faculty members and some students did not like it as it was completely different from the traditional practice. That is, producing doctors where you allow them to stay and do two terms, then, come out as doctors. It involves tasking the students to work closely with communities with an emphasis on practical.”

— Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UDS Professor Seidu Al-Hassan

The practically oriented methodologies to teaching and learning, research and outreach services adopt by UDS is a means to fulfilling its mandate of blending the academic world with that of the community to provide constructive interaction between the two for the total development of Northern Ghana in particular and the country as a whole. He said the program has helped its students to perform well at the various health institutions that they work due to the interdisciplinary skills acquired from the university.

He added that early exposure to the communities help the students to have confidence in working with institutions.