The Fiji National University’s (FNU), College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences’ (CMNHS) three-day Health Professional Education Symposium ended on a high note last week.

The symposium brought together health and medical professionals, academics, researchers, students and other relevant stakeholders to discuss ways to enhance teaching and learning practices and processes in the field of medical and health education based on the theme, Innovate and Rejuvenate: The Transformation of Pacific Health Professional Education.

International keynote speakers from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore carried out discussion sessions on focusing on Lessons Learnt on Learning and Teaching Innovations through the Pandemic, Student Experiences and Learning Environment, and the Future of Learning and Teaching.For the first time, students from all the College Schools were also involved in the symposium. Final year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) student, Rajeev Singh, said that being part of the Symposium emphasised the College’s value of students’ opinions.

“The Health Professional Education Symposium had robust discussions on how academics, staff, students, the student’s association and other relevant stakeholders can walk hand in hand to promote and improve learning and teaching especially in health science,” added Singh.“There are numerous spaces in which we can work together to enhance student learning experiences not only at CMNHS but at FNU and this symposium has revealed potential solutions to some of the issues we face as students through open dialogue and effective communication.”Year 3 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science student and Vanuatu native, Derickson Tari, highlighted how the Symposium allowed students like him to learn from leaders in the medical and health profession.

“As a regional student at CMNHS, I am glad I got to be a part of the Health Professional Education Symposium where I got to learn ways in which I can be a better leader in the medical and health profession.”He added that he looks forward to being involved in other similar events to develop more skills that will help him and his peers in their careers.

CMNHS’s Associate Dean Learning and Teaching, Dr Odille Chang, said that the symposium is aligned with the University’s Strategic Plan for 2021-2026.“The event is strongly aligned to Pillar 1 – Education for Employability, which emphasizes the need for quality education that is evidence-based and best practices that are also student-focused and meet the health workforce needs of Fiji and the region.”

“It also helps us achieve Pillar 2-Student Experience, which highlights the need for enhanced student engagement, support and participation in the co-design and continuous improvement of programmes.”Dr Chang added that the symposium also supported the enablers of the University, specifically People, by ensuring that the College academic staff were supported and provided with the necessary opportunities for academic professional development.

The three-day event was attended by over 100 people locally and international keynote speakers were engaged virtually.