Professor Khalid Mubarak bin Dayna, Professor of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arabian Gulf University (AGU), presented a comprehensive strategic roadmap aimed at continuously updating medical curricula to align with the latest developments in 21st-century medical education.

This initiative is part of ongoing development plans for refinement of the Problem-Based Learning model (PBL), an approach in which AGU has established regional leadership. The college is actively working to reframe clinical educational problems to foster students’ analytical thinking and clinical reasoning skills, besides expanding the use of clinical simulations and interactive digital learning environments that provide safe, virtual settings for clinical decision-making under direct academic supervision.

The roadmap is centred around three axes. The first emphasises enhancing the design of educational problems based on the global 3C3R model, which integrates content, context, communication, research, reasoning, and self-critical thinking. It aims to deepen the integration of modern technologies and digital simulations into the educational process, creating a realistic and interactive learning environment. It also focuses on developing assessment methods by adopting a comprehensive programmatic assessment model that combines multiple low-stakes assessment tools, such as progress tests, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE), and workplace-based assessments (WPBA). This approach provides a more accurate and continuous picture of student performance over the course of their studies, coming in parallel with ongoing efforts to develop and qualify faculty members in PBL, ensuring sustainable quality and innovation in the educational process.

Professor Bin Dayna stated, “The plan is designed for gradual, multi-year implementation, beginning with faculty capacity-building to ensure consistent quality. Our goal is to graduate adaptable doctors and healthcare professionals who excel in clinical reasoning.” He added that this roadmap is a strategic investment in a flexible, future-oriented educational model grounded in the principles of PBL, an essential component of modern medical training.

The College of Medicine and Health Sciences at AGU affirms that this initiative complements existing continuous improvement efforts aligned with its vision of fostering an integrated medical education system that equips physicians to meet evolving healthcare challenges.