Media Release
 
Ajman, Dec 14: Gulf Medical University, Ajman held a special ceremony on Sunday December 11 to award certificates to six faculty members who have completed their Graduate Diploma in Health Professions Education programme. 

The Graduate Diploma in Health Professions Education programme has been designed to cater to the needs of faculty members who wish to increase the effectiveness of their teaching and perform the various roles they are called upon to play in their work as educators.

Welcoming the guests to the event, Dr Gamini Premadasa, Co-Chairperson of the Medical Education Unit, Gulf Medical University, stated that those who had completed the programme of studies successfully were being rewarded for their determination and commitment, in completing their assignments during the course.  

Prof Gita Ashok Raj, Provost, Gulf Medical University, in her address referred to the faculty development activities that the university had been involved in.

She added that the Diploma course had been conducted for four consecutive years and that 17 faculty members have already benefitted from the experience. She made special mention to the valuable role played by Prof Raja C. Bandaranayake, Medical Educationist and Visiting Professor in Medical Education, who was the Chief Guest at the special event.  He has been a mentor and guide for the faculty over the past decade in the curriculum development. 

Addressing the gathering which included the academic community of the University made up of the past and current students of the Diploma in Health Professions Education programme, Prof Bandaranayake reminisced to the lively applause of the audience about his first visit to Gulf Medical University in 2003 and memorable events with reference to each of his ‘students’.

Speaking on behalf of the students of the 2010 batch in the Graduate Diploma programme, Prof Meenu Cherian, ENT Consultant at GMC Hospital and Research Centre said that their experiences as learners in the Diploma course had enriched them and has made better teachers out of them. Prof Cherian added that her group was fortunate to have had a teacher of the calibre of Prof Bandaranayake who served not only as the chief resource person but also was instrumental in planning the various course units.