On a recent visit to India, Professor Cathal Kelly, CEO of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), discussed the long-standing India-RCSI relationship and his novel purpose of taking the relationship to a new level.
What is the purpose of your visit to India?
This trip is intended to provide myself and RCSI colleagues with an overview of the healthcare education and training market here and to explore the potential for cooperation with esteemed institutions in India. We also hope to engage with several key stakeholders to understand if or how RCSI can contribute to the healthcare and education sectors in India.
Why should an Indian student consider studying at RCSI?
RCSI has a long track record, since our foundation in 1784, of pushing the barriers and innovating, from a series of medical breakthroughs by RCSI doctors to a list of firsts in terms of delivering healthcare education. With students from more than 80 countries, we have a global perspective on how we train our future clinical professionals.
By providing experiential opportunities beyond the core curriculum, including Research Electives through the RCSI Summer Research School and Overseas Clinical Electives through the Alumni Network programmes, students have the opportunity to gain experience in different healthcare systems and to target that experience to their longer term career planning.
The University's new €80m teaching facility is due for completion in March 2017.
This will have a state-of-the art surgical and clinical training suite with a flexible wet lab, mock operating theatres, clinical training wards and simulation labs where standardised patients will contribute to the teaching of the students.
With more than 15,500 graduates worldwide, many of them leaders in key organisations globally, the RCSI alumni network empowers at every career stage. This RCSI Mentor Network allows students reach out to alumni to learn and be advised as to how best to succeed in their chosen career paths. Engagement with Alumni can practically contribute to broadening the student mind-set from a campus context to a 'real-world' perspective.
What is the admission criteria for Indian students?
A competitive All India Senior School Certificate Examination (equivalent to Standard 12 - 6 subjects required) with strong sciences and math's. Applicants must have completed the Science stream at standard XII and hold a bona fide certificate of completion issued by the CBSE or ICSE.
We have a 5 and a 6 year medical degree programme for school leavers - students are deemed eligible for entry to one or the other depending on the grades and subjects they present.
Graduates with honours degrees (generally 4/5 years minimum) might consider the graduate entry programme, requiring a second class honours 2H1 hours degree with competitive GAMSAT.
Can you share more information on your education partnerships in India?
We are very pleased to have recently signed partnership agreements with King George Medical University in Lucknow and with Aster Medcity in Kochi around the delivery of our postgraduate surgical examinations. Talks are on with Tata Memorial Hospital, Chennai for partnerships. Discussions with other potential partners are ongoing and we hope to make further announcements shortly.
What are your recommendations for an Indian student to prepare for his Irish student-life journey?
Going to a new University isn't just about studying. It's about living in a new and exciting city. For a student this may well be their first experience of living away from home. Indeed this may be their first experience of Ireland. The students first few weeks in Dublin and at RCSI will undoubtedly be exciting as they settle into their new lifestyle. With its numerous parks, museums, social and cultural events, Dublin has lots to offer.
Student Life at RCSI is a rich and exciting experience. Students are encouraged to participate in many extra-curricular activities to help make friends from different paths of life, manage stress levels and create memories that you will carry for the rest of your life. With over 32 sporting clubs and 44 societies in RCSI there is something for everyone to get involved with and to make friends quickly.
