Singapore Medical Council Visit
Members of the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) visited Monash University’s Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences earlier this month to discuss plans for the new Monash Medicine MD.
Hosted by Professor Michelle Leech, Deputy Dean, MBBS, the SMC delegation learnt about the exciting Monash degree that integrates both the direct entry and graduate entry MBBS programs into one medicine course.
“The integration of the two programs creates an optimal opportunity to introduce the Monash MD,” said Professor Leech.
“Importantly, with the introduction of the Monash Medicine MD, the undergraduate (direct entry from school) and graduate entry pathways will continue to be available and articulate with the common MD program.”
Developments to the Monash curriculum in recent years have seen the amalgamation of the two medicine programs. Undergraduate and graduate entry students now experience identical curriculum, assessment and placement opportunities.
“We are confident that our updated course and the Monash MD will enable our graduates to become the best possible doctors,” said Professor Leech. “In particular, we actively encourage our students to undertake research which is critical to being an excellent clinician.”
During their visit, the SMC members met the new President and Vice-Chancellor of Monash University, Professor Margaret Gardner AO.
Current Monash graduate entry students from Singapore also spoke about the benefits of their combined graduate and undergraduate medical program experiences.
The members of the SMC reported they had a good understanding of how the established Monash Medicine integrated Graduate-Undergraduate Medicine programs will enable the introduction of the Monash MD, planned for 2017.
The visiting members of the SMC were Associate Professor Chew Suok Kai, Associate Professor Pang Weng Sun, Mrs. Joanna Tan and Ms. Guessie Chan.