After signing the cooperation agreement, Prof. Martin Powell, President of the University of Maastricht (center), shakes hands with BMC's dean Khalid Batterjee, as vice dean of academic affairs Hassan Shaiba looks on. — Courtesy photo Sana Abdul Salam Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — To further academic research and training as well as scientific cooperation, Maastricht University in the Netherlands has collaborated with Batterjee Medical College for Science and Technology. The collaboration is aimed at developing the latter's medical program. The agreement explains guidelines for developing the curriculum of the program of medicine and clinical skills under qualified medical professionals, and includes training and exchange programs for faculty members in order to develop their capacities. In addition to this, exchange programs for outstanding students are also planned. The agreement was signed in the city of Maastricht, where Khalid Batterjee, Dean of BMC, and Hassan Shaibah, vice dean of academic affairs, represented the college. Professor Martin Powell, President of the University of Maastricht, Prof. Albert Cherbber, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Alber Cherbber, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Prof. Chris van der Vluitin, Director of Medical Education Center and president of the Center for Medical Education Research, represented Maastricht University. On working with the Dutch university, Khalid Batterjee, said: “The Maastricht University has a global and advanced reputation in the field of medical education, and their faculty of medicine is a pioneer in the implementing a problem-solving based approach to education, which is the latest education program in the world. BMC aims to achieve this. We are also planning to implement other developmental programs at the college.” Hassan Shaibah said: “Exchange of knowledge is one of the best ways that an institution can grow, and I am pleased that the agreement will contribute to the exchange of experiences between the college and the university in the academic and research fields.” Sobhi Batterjee, chairman of the board of trustees for Batterjee Medical College, praised the agreement, saying that it comes within the strategic plan for continuous development pursued by the college. He was grateful to the Ministry of Higher Education, especially the role played by Khaled Al-Anqari, in promoting such collaborations.
