Cardiff medical students have the chance to spend up to 12 weeks at one of Japan’s leading medical universities as part of an exchange programme renewed this week.
Cardiff University’s School of Medicine has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tokyo Women’s Medical University (TWMU) which renews an annual student exchange programme.
Founded in 1900 by an ambitious female doctor, TWMU is Japan’s only women’s medical university. Comprising of a state-of-the-art hospital with 1,423 beds and more than 10 affiliated institutions, it remains one of Japan’s leading medical centres.
Each year medical students from Cardiff have the chance to visit TWMU to complete an elective module. During their stay, students complete a report on their experience and skills gained.
In exchange, students from TWMU get the chance to visit Cardiff and learn from a variety of clinical placements.
Professor Helen Houston from Cardiff University’s School of Medicine who organises the exchange programme said: “Student exchange offers broad based benefits and outcomes for our students to travel and experience life in an international medical setting.
“Exchange programmes like this contribute to a student’s self-development and awareness leading to enhanced self-confidence and self-esteem, not to mention prospective employers in almost every field look favourably upon experience gained while living and working overseas.
“I am delighted that we have been able to host and renew this agreement with one of Japan’s leading medical universities.”
The Memorandum formalises an existing programme established in October 1997 between the former University of Wales College of Medicine and the former Tokyo Women’s Medical College (now known as Tokyo Women’s Medical University – TWMU).
Some 50 students from each institution have, so far, participated in the exchange programme. In addition to the exchange programme the Memorandum sets in place additional plans to develop research links between the two universities
The agreement was signed at an official ceremony at the University’s School of Medicine by Professor Paul Morgan, Dean of the School of Medicine, Professor Shunichi Miyazaki, President of TWMU and Professor Yoshio Uetsuka, Director of International Affairs.
Professor Paul Morgan, Dean of Medicine said: “I was delighted to welcome the visitors from Tokyo Women’s Medical University to Cardiff.
“Their full-day visit was an opportunity to illustrate our excellent teaching facilities, to provide a snapshot of our world-leading medical research and discuss possible opportunities for greater collaboration between the two universities.
“Signing the new Memorandum of Understanding will provide our students with more opportunities to travel, gain new skills and experience life at a major international medical university – I look forward to its progression and success over the next few years.”
