Johannesburg, South Africa, 18 February 2025: Transnational education (TNE) refers to educational programs or courses provided in a country different from where the awarding institution is located. This approach helps students gain international experience, learn from different cultures, and develop global skills. At the same time, it offers students the opportunity to study closer to home, providing familiarity and comfort while pursuing their education.
For African undergraduates looking to study medicine, SGU, a School of Medicine in Grenada, in the West Indies, offers vital TNE experience via its long-standing partnership with the UK’s Northumbria University (NU).
Since the collaboration began in 2007, more than 2,500 SGU medical students have spent one or more years of their preclinical or medical degree program at NU. It provides an opportunity to undertake part of the Four-Year MD Program, or a Five- or Six-Year MD Tracks, identical to those delivered in Grenada.
In the Fall of 2024, SGU’s joint MD program with NU saw a significant increase in new student enrolments, from over 25 countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Hong Kong, Uganda, India, Nigeria, Kenya, Japan, Myanmar, South Korea, and Canada.
Among the students who graduated from SGU as part of the partnership with NU was Michele Obert, who joined the MD program in the class of 2019. “The Northumbria program felt like a family away from home. It was the opportunity that allowed me to explore topics in global medicine and distinguish myself from all the other SGU applicants come residency applications.”
David Anthonisz, Executive Director of International Student Recruitment at SGU, said: “Transnational education is growing rapidly with many universities around the world adopting this approach as part of their curriculum. SGU is no different, and since we partnered with NU, the results have been notable. More than 2,500 aspiring medical professionals have graduated from the SGU/NU MD program, enabling them to gain vital hands-on experience both in the UK and Grenada and broaden their international outlook and understanding through lectures delivered by highly experienced staff. We believe TNE programs will go from strength to strength and we look forward to welcoming more students to embark on this journey at SGU.”
SGU medical students are reaping the benefits of the TNE program. The program was created to provide essential international experience to aspiring doctors which will both enhance their knowledge and make them more competitive upon graduation.
For more information on the MD program and tracks available through SGU/NU, visit SGU’s website here.
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Author: Oti Egwu from Djembe Consultants on behalf of St. George’s University.
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