16/03/2014
MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN OF MEDICINE AND NURSING
The Faculty of Medicine was established in September 2010 after the majority of the locally-based medical practitioners unanimously agreed to put their full collective personal and professional weight behind this novel proposition. The Faculty started with 46 students following an enthusiastic surge for registration. All subjects were covered by members of the local doctors under the direction and guidance of the first Dean of the Faculty in Dr Abdullahi Sh. Mohamed.
The major aim behind the inspiring initiative in the establishment of the faculty was to produce competent, skilled and highly qualified medical professionals trained in their own environment with its socio-cultural, socio-medical and socio-economic significance. In advancing this goal, the Dean and his team continued to work towards the achievement of that goal despite the constraints faced then.
From the outset, the lecturers have been offering their services for free on a completely voluntary basis and still continue to do so even today. The commitment and dedication demonstrated by lecturers have further contributed to curb the teething problems that cropped up in the offing. Local doctors still remain the backbone of the Faculty teaching staff. Their services are highly commendable.
I have taken over the deanship of the Faculty of Medicine after the former dean left the post in September 2013. A two-year top up nursing degree course has come under the jurisdiction of the faculty and the name of the faculty has thus changed to the “Faculty of Medicine and Nursing”. A few notable changes have since been made to improve the teaching/learning process. An all-morning teaching schedule has been re-instated. Examination procedures revised and improved with a complete anonymity when marking. Attendance records revisited with a minimum attendance required of 75% while subject pass marks upgraded to a minimum of 60% as of this new semester (Feb.’2014). Community-oriented field training activities commenced in January this year at a village settlement on the outskirts of Burao.
In my capacity as the dean of the faculty, I shall during my tenure spare no effort to further strengthen the level of the quality of teaching/learning process and related support services for the faculty to produce medical professionals of the highest calibre. Current partnerships and collaborative ties with similar institutions such as the Queen’s University Belfast and others overseas will be enhanced while new relationships will be forged. Our drive to work to double the efforts to achieve further improvements will continue.
