The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)–Medical University of Bahrain has formalised a partnership with one of India’s most prominent medical and nursing college, Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, during a visit in February.

Representing RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, Professor Alfred Nicholson, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Head of School of Medicine, accompanied by Professor Kathryn Strachan, Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dr Vikram Mathews, Director of CMC Vellore. The MoU establishes a framework for collaborative initiatives, including a medical and nursing student exchange programme, research collaboration, and the promotion of academic cooperation. 

The MoU was signed during a high-level visit to CMC Vellore by a distinguished delegation from the Kingdom of Bahrain, led by Dr Deepak Abraham, Chief of Medical Staff at American Mission Hospital, alongside Dr JV Peter, Medical Consultant at American Mission Hospital, Dr Azhar Ali Naseeb, Chief of Clinical Trial and CPD Regulation at the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), Professor Riyadh Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women and Dr Raed Alnimer, Dean of the Royal University for Women. 

WCM-Qatar Prepares 41 Aspiring Doctors for Medical Education

Forty-one students from 19 high schools completed the 2024-2025 edition of the Qatar Aspiring Doctors Program (QADP), organized by the Office of Student Outreach & Educational Development at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q).

The yearlong QADP program prepares high school students for the pre-medical curriculum through advanced tuition in the physical sciences, biology, research skills, college writing, and reading. The course instruction follows a hybrid model, with monthly face-to-face sessions and hands-on activities blended with online self-paced modules.

To enroll in the program, students must be in grades 10, 11, or 12, demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a career in medicine, and excel in both the sciences and mathematics. Additionally, students must be nominated by their high school counsellor, with priority given to Qatari students. 

This year’s participating schools included ACS International School Doha; Al Arqam Academy for Girls; Al Jazeera Academy; Al Maha Academy for Girls; Amna Bint Wahab Secondary School for Girls; Durham School for Girls; Global Academy International; Hayat Universal Bilingual School; International School for Medical Science and Engineering; Qatar Academy Al Khor; Qatar Academy Al Wakra; Qatar Academy Doha; Qatar Academy for Science and Technology; and others.