Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty carried out a “Trainer Development Program” for academic staff members of the Joint International Medicine Program with Marmara University and state hospital affiliated doctors who are interested in becoming part of the teaching staff. The program took place between the 16th and 18th of February 2017. During a ceremony that took place at the end of the program, participants were handed their participation certificates by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam and EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Nahide Gökçora.
The training was provided by, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine academic staff member and EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty-Marmara University Joint International Medicine Program Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Gülpınar and Student Affairs Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Can Erzik. During the training, various topics including “Modern approaches in medicine education”, “Interactive learning methods in large classes and small groups”, “Latest global developments in assessment and evaluation” and “Instructive competency” were discussed. In addition, many learning and evaluation exercises were carried out in small groups.
The academic staff members and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ministry of Health doctors who attended the training program stated that the 3-day training has been a very productive and entertaining experience. They also stated that they learned to look at education through the lens of students which is very important.
Doctors from the state hospital thanked the organizers of the event that was made possible as part of the affiliation protocol signed between TRNC Ministry of Health and EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty, for giving them the opportunity to think about how they can make use of their professional experiences in the field of education.
Participants noted that universities should carry out activities for the benefit of the community stating that they witnessed developments in university-sector collaborations. They also expressed that they witnessed the importance of “polyphony”, “individual differences between students”, “different points of view” and “respecting differences” during the interactive learning group work. A doctor described the education he received as “advanced” noting “I just saw how scientific the education here is”. The doctor went on to indicate that they learned a lot and carried out new exercises that led to a review of the education activities they previously witnessed, making them happy to see that they were on the correct path.
