A delegation from the Republic-of-Ireland-based Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) has concluded its visit to the College of Medicine and Health Sciences and its affiliated medical centres at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU). 

The purpose of the visit was to evaluate the quality of the "Doctor of Medicine" programme and ensure compliance with international academic and health standards. This is part of the college's ongoing efforts to enhance medical education quality and align it with the highest global standards.

The evaluation involved a delegation of senior international experts in medicine and medical education, including Professor Conor O'Keane, a consultant in pathology at Mater Private Hospital and a professor of clinical pathology at University College Dublin, who has extensive experience in assessing medical education quality. 

Also present was Professor Jane Dacre, a professor of medical education at University College London (UCL), former director of UCL Medical School, and past president of the Royal College of Physicians, in addition to Mr Philip Berman, former director of the European Health Management Association and a member of Ireland's National Research Ethics Committee.

This visit reflects the AGU’s commitment to global standards and academic excellence in medical education, as well as its aim to develop academic programmes and elevate the quality of training received by students through collaboration with prestigious accrediting bodies like the ACCM. This effort is part of the continuous pursuit to maintain the academic and scientific standing of the "Doctor of Medicine" programme among the best medical programmes worldwide.

During his meeting with the ACCM members, His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of AGU, welcomed the visiting delegation, stating: "AGU always strives to renew the accreditation of its academic programmes by adopting the best global practices, reflecting its commitment to advancing medical education in the Gulf and the Arab world." 

He stressed the university's dedication to improving education quality, developing academic programmes, and enhancing training and continuous education to ensure that students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills through modern facilities and infrastructure that support an outstanding educational environment to meet contemporary health challenges. 

He stressed his commitment to ensuring the graduation of qualified doctors capable of providing high-quality healthcare, appreciating the efforts of everyone involved in developing the College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The committee's visit included an intensive schedule of meetings and interviews. The visiting delegation met with His Excellency the AGU President, who provided a comprehensive presentation on the university's academic vision, strategic plans, strengths, and challenges facing higher education. They also discussed the achievements of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences and its experience in improving education and medical training quality. 

Moreover, the delegation met with His Excellency Prof. Omar Al Rawas, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bahraini Health Minister Dr Jaleela bint Sayed Jawad Hassan, and several ministry officials, as well as officials from the Bahrain Defense Force Hospital, A’ali Health Centre, and the Psychiatric Hospital, to learn about the collaboration between the college and health institutions in training students and enhancing medical research. They discussed management standards, organisational structure, strategic planning, and evaluation and continuous development policies.

Additionally, they met with the college administration and faculty members to discuss employment policies, professional development, ongoing training opportunities, and the availability of educational resources needed to support the educational process. 

They also held meetings with representatives of partner health authorities and students to review teaching methods and clinical practices followed in the programme, an important step to ensure the academic sustainability of the programme and reflect the college's commitment to providing distinguished medical education that keeps pace with the latest scientific and research developments in the field of medicine.

Furthermore, the visit included an assessment of medical and educational facilities, laboratories, classrooms and lecture halls, the anatomy museum, the medical simulation centre, the library, administrative offices, and student services. There were also field visits to practical training centres in government hospitals to observe the modern equipment used by students during their clinical training.

For their part, the ACCM members praised the strengths of the college and its commitment to quality standards in medical education, as well as its focus on continuous development. They appreciated the stimulating academic environment for students, with strong support for scientific research and evidence-based learning. They also stressed the importance of enhancing partnerships with hospitals and health centres to provide comprehensive clinical training for students and expanding the use of modern technologies and clinical simulations in medical education.

The university administration aims to maintain this important international accreditation, which will enhance the standing of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences and the university, contributing to maintaining the college's position in the global guide of the best medical universities worldwide, issued by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). 

This will positively impact attracting more distinguished medical students, thus providing a high-quality educational environment that qualifies doctors to deliver exceptional healthcare and enables the college's graduates to continue their studies at prestigious global universities.

It is noteworthy that the "Doctor of Medicine" programme has received full accreditation for six years from the ACCM, and this visit comes midway through the accreditation period to monitor compliance with accreditation requirements.