DWU strengthens ties with James Cook University through medical schools

Four lecturers from the School of Medicine at Divine Word University have returned from a successful academic visit to James Cook University's medical school in Australia.

The visit, supported by Bread for the World, a non-profit organisation; highlighted the growing international collaboration between the two schools.

It also reinforced their shared commitment to excellence in medical education and rural health care training.

The program provided an invaluable opportunity for knowledge exchange, innovation, and professional networking.

The team participated in a wide range of teaching sessions within JCU's Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery [MBBS] program, where they observed modern teaching methodologies, simulation- based learning, and student-centred approaches to medical education.

The team also visited rural clinical placement sites, including a healthcare clinic serving an Aboriginal community, where they gained insight into community- oriented and rural medical practice.

Each day concluded with engaging discussions and reflective debriefing sessions involving both students and academic staff. These conversations focused on effective teaching strategies, curriculum development, and strengthening rural medical education in the Pacific region.

Professor Dr. Jerzy Kuzma, Head of Department at DWU's School of Medicine and Adjunct Professor at JCU, delivered two presentations during the visit.

The first presentation for medical students focused on neglected tropical diseases and another for JCU Rural Club on teaching rural and general medicine within the DWU's MBBS program.

Overall, the visit marked another important milestone in the collaboration between DWU and JCU, fostering the exchange of ideas, strengthening professional relationships, and creating new opportunities that will benefit not only the medical students and their lecturers, but also the general communities in both Papua New Guinea and Australia.