JCU medical students strengthen skills in Singapore
James Cook University continues to cement its reputation as one of Australia’s most distinctive and successful universities, securing $48,000 under the first tranche of the Federal Government’s $100 million New Colombo Plan.
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is a Federal Government initiative whereby Australian university students are sent abroad to learn, build friendships and strengthen ties with neighbouring Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean countries.
A pilot program of the NCP was launched earlier this year. It has two elements: the Mobility Program (Tranche 1 and 2) and around 40 undergraduate scholarships for up to a year of study are being offered across the four pilot locations of Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and Hong Kong.
The students will undertake study experiences ranging from semester-based and short-term study to teaching practicums, research, field studies and clinical placements.
Many participants will also complete internships with businesses operating in their host country.
Anna Ekstrand, Manager Student Mobility at James Cook University, said a total of 15 JCU students are heading abroad, with seven having already left, while a group of eight will leave next month for the four-week Tranche 1 placement.
“All students, who are from either the Townsville or Cairns campus, are Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery students,” she said.
“They will travel to Singapore on clinical placement as part of their 4th year clinical studies.
“The students will be placed in pairs in their Singapore placements, facilitated by the Singapore College of Family Physicians.”
Professor Richard Murray, Head of the School of Medicine and Dentistry at JCU, said the initiative would further strengthen ties with Singapore and beyond.
“The medical course at JCU is known for graduating adventurous, well-skilled graduates who are keen to make a difference. The Singapore experience builds on that,” he said. “We share obvious interests in the health of tropical populations and in tropical diseases such as dengue.”
Professor Murray said there were other, perhaps surprising links too.
“For instance, both JCU and the College of Family Physicians Singapore are committed to producing broadly-skilled ‘generalist’ doctors who are able to work in a community clinic, the hospital setting and anywhere that their patients need care,” he said, adding that this is clearly important in rural and remote areas, but that Australia could learn much from Singapore about the value of the medical ‘generalist’ doctor in major cities.
Jan Mo, Associate Director, International Recruitment and Admissions, said JCU was proud to have been awarded funding through the New Colombo Plan.
“The School of Medicine and Dentistry has put a lot of work into establishing the Singapore clinical placement program and the NCP Tranche1 funding is an important contribution to ensure that all qualified students have the opportunity to participate in the program,” he said.
JCU Medical Program
Program: Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Location: Townsville, Queensland
Semester intake: February 2015
Duration: 6 years
Application deadline: August 29, 2014
Entry Requirements
Entry into the JCU MBBS program is directly from high school. Students may also transfer into the program during their undergraduate degree or at the completion of their undergraduate degree.
- High school cumulative average necessary to be considered is a minimum of 85% in Grade 12 subjects, including prerequisite subject grades.
- If you are applying to the program after you have partially or fully completed your post-secondary studies, you should have a Canadian GPA of 80% cumulative average across all university studies, but to have a competitive application, applicants should have achieved at least an 82% cumulative average.
- Interview: held in-person and via video conference
Apply now to James Cook University Medical School!
*
Ask A Question
Ask us about your program of interest, or if you have a question about our services.
CONTACT US TODAY