A message from GEMx Regional Representative in Africa – Faith Nawagi
Filed under: From GEMx Staff, GEMx Regional Exchanges
Post by Faith Nawagi, GEMx Regional Representative
It all began in 2014 when I attended The Network TUFH conference in Fortaleza Brazil. I met Ms. Anna Iacone who was really passionate about global exposure for medical students. Having been volunteering at my school back then at the international office I thought this would be a great opportunity for our school but also bearing in mind that i had strong interest in internationalization in health professional training. My roles at the international office back home were really too basic These involved helping with orienting exchange students and faculty by taking them around the hospital and adapting to the life around Uganda by showing them places that would enable them get their basic needs. In 2015 I was lucky to be one of the winners of the student Projects for Health which was sponsored by GEMx in Gauteng South Africa under the Network TUFH. While there, I met the entire GEMx team and we discussed more on possible roles and ways to enhance visibility in Africa for GEMx.
sentation and modulation of conference sessions. Late in 2016 we worked on ensuring all schools submit the required documents. The electives are to be up and running this year 2017. As the project is implemented various aspects of research and strengthening partnerships will also be looked at. In addition I also serve as the Co-chair on the Student Ambassador Network for GEMx new brooding consortia of students for the various GEMx schools with great potential to enhance GEMx visibility yet at the same time promoting cross cultural linkages and global learning opportunities and interaction.
GEMx has offered the best platform for me to realize the kind of career path I always wanted through contributing to medical education in research, academia and building global partnerships. My greatest glimmer is the hope GEMx has provided to medical and other health professional students across the globe to gain global exposure through building global partnerships but also at the same time enhancing visibility of the outstanding community projects with significant impact implemented by students across the world.
