A group of students from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) has launched a new initiative aimed at familiarising incoming students accepted for the academic year 2024/2025 with all aspects of their studies at the College of Medicine. 

This initiative includes a comprehensive electronic guide that provides essential information and data crucial for students during their academic journey, addressing their inquiries related to the study system at the university.

The key student behind the initiative, Ms Rawan Al Anzi, indicated that a team of students from GCC countries studying at the College of Medicine developed this initiative to support new students at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences. She explained that the electronic guide offers insights into the nature of study during the preparatory year, the first year, the pre-clinical years, and the clinical study years, as well as practical training opportunities.

Ms Al Anzi elaborated that the guide encompasses the university’s vision, mission, and strategic Gulf values, which emphasise the promotion of a culture of diversity, innovation, excellence, and quality in education. Additionally, the guide includes rules governing student behaviour, academic regulations, and procedures for passing the tests and interviews required for admission. It also details the orientation and guidance programme, student housing, transportation services, and the process for joining the student council.

Moreover, the guide highlights the university’s notable achievements, including the full accreditation of the Doctor of Medicine programme by the Accreditation Commission for Irish Medical Colleges (ACCM) until 2028, the five-year accreditation of the Clinical Master's Programme in Family Medicine by the World Health Organisation, and the re-accreditation of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences as a collaborative centre with the World Health Organisation until 2027. Additionally, the college has achieved significant research milestones, publishing more than 144 scientific medical papers in highly ranked journals.

The guide also features testimonials from several GCC students, who share their reasons for choosing to study at AGU over other medical institutions. Through these letters, they offer a summary of their experiences at the College of Medicine, underscoring the strength and flexibility of the curriculum, the ability to balance study commitments with entertainment activities in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and tips on how to prepare for scholarship programmes and medical fellowships in various specialties after completing their bachelor’s degree. Furthermore, the guide presents a selection of distinguished alumni from AGU as role models and sources of inspiration for new students at the College of Medicine.

It is noteworthy that the team responsible for preparing the guide also included: Mr Mazen Al Zahrani, Mr Abdullah Al Ghamdi, Ms Rahaf Al Habil, Ms Rawan Walid, Mr Salem Al Habil, Mr Ziad Al Zahrani, Ms Shamael Mohammed, Mr Ibrahim Al Bakr, Mr Abdullah Al Anzi, Ms Ruba Al Hazmi, Ms Hanin Al Rabiah, Mr Turki Al Dhawadi, Mr Jassem Al Jassem, Ms Haya Al Subaie, and Ms Renad Al Hazmi, with design contributions from Mr Walid Al Harbi.