University of Sierra Leone and the Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Guinea have reached an agreement for the training of medical students from the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone (COMAHS, USL) in dental education.
In a meeting held on Friday, 22nd September, 2023 at the office of the Rector of the Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Conakry, the Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone (VC&P, USL), Brig. Gen. Prof. Foday Sahr pointed out that the agreement marks the beginning of a bigger and more sustainable collaboration between the two universities. The VC&P, USL noted that there is need to encourage the establishment of academic collaboration starting at a sub-regional level and going beyond.
He said it is a good move that both Universities have started a collaboration for the training of medical students to become doctors, adding that in the near future, the two universities should expand such collaboration to include joint research proposals and/or collaboration in research and staff exchange among others.
Brig. Gen. Prof. Foday Sahr expressed thanks and gratitude to Mercy Ships for facilitating the collaboration between USL and Gamal Abdel Nasser University. He pointed out there is an existing agreement between the USL and Mercy Ship, which was signed in July this year for the training of healthcare professionals in the area of dental education.
On his part, the Rector of Gamal Abdel Nasser University, Prof. Alpha Kabinet Keita said he acknowledged the importance of the engagement and collaboration judging from the high-profiled delegation in his office. He said he is pleased and encouraged that his University is collaborating with the University of Sierra Leone.
Prof. Keita also expressed hope that beyond the relationship that each of the institutions has with Mercy Ships, the two universities should move ahead with further engagements on a bilateral level for the benefit of all those who stand to gain from the training and other exchange programmes.
He assured the delegation from USL that students from COMAHS would be well received and given the requisite training to become professional dentists.
Prof. Keita said with the trust placed in his University by the USL administration to train dental students from Sierra Leone, he is also looking forward to a reciprocal gesture, with Gamal Abdel Nasser University sending their own students for training in other disciplines, especially in the area of bilingual collaboration for the benefits of students of both institutions.
An extensive tour of the state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and the dental clinic formed a highlight of the visit to the Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Conakry, Guinea.
In July this year, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone, Brig. Gen. Prof. Foday Sahr signed a “Memorandum of Agreement” with the Country Director of the faith-based international non-profit charitable organization, Mercy Ships.
Under that arrangement, Sierra Leonean medical students at USL (COMAHS) would be pursuing doctoral degrees in Dental Surgery at the Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Conakry, Guinea. In this regard, the first set of seven medical students would leave in October this year to commence a six-year training with the first year focusing mainly on intensive French language training. This would be followed by four years of dental training and another year of intensive clinical work at the University’s Dental School.
According to the agreement, Mercy Ships would undertake to support the students both financially and administratively for successful completion of the programme plus travel costs.
Meanwhile, as part of the VC&P’s re-engineering programme at the University of Sierra Leone, COMAHS established a Department of Dentistry about two years ago, and the collaboration with the Gamal Abdel Nasser University is part of ongoing efforts to make that department functional and viable.
