RCSI BAHRAIN ANNUAL REPORT 2013/14 · Bin Ali Al-Amri from Bahrain. RCSI Committed to Education Excellence 5 In April, a delegation from RCSI Bahrain visited Taiwan and signed a number

RCSI DEVELOPING HEALTHCARE LEADERS WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WORLDWIDE

RCSI BAHRAINANNUAL REPORT2013/14

CONTENTS

Governance

Board of Governors 8

Senior Management Team 9

President’s Review 10

Vice President for Academic Affairs Review 12

Chief Operating Officer’s Review 14

Education, Teaching and Learning

School of Medicine 16

School of Nursing & Midwifery 20

School of Postgraduate Studies and Research 24

Quality Assurance and Enhancement 28

Community Engagement 32

Student Activities 36

KEYSTATISTICSRCSI BAHRAIN DEVELOPING HEALTHCARE LEADERSWHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WORLDWIDE

1,278

Students

36

Student Nationalities

854

Alumni since 2010

138

Number of Fulltime Staff

ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

Dr Fatima Abdulla from Salmaniya Medical Complex received a clinical lecturer award from RCSI Bahrain President, Professor Sameer Otoom

Staff during a training session run by the Professional Development Unit

2 RCSI Annual Report 2013/14

At the end of November, staff from the School of Nursing & Midwifery travelled to Saudi Arabia to begin delivery of the School’s BSc Nursing Bridging programme in Saudi Aramco

During the year, the Department of Surgery ran a number of Basic Surgical Skills Courses, which is an essential course for junior surgical trainees

RCSI Committed to Education Excellence 3


EXCELLENCE IN MEDICINE, NURSING & MIDWIFERY, POSTGRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCHInvesting in facilities and nurturing research throughout our teaching, clinical network and research, delivers a better-educated and more-informed graduate.

The James Finucane Prize in Medicine was won by Mohamed Ahmed Maki Ebrahim who is from Bahrain

Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Bahrain, presenting the award to the winner of the Rufaida Al-Aslamia Prize in Nursing, Ms Nazia Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Amri from Bahrain


In April, a delegation from RCSI Bahrain visited Taiwan and signed a number of agreements with National Taiwan University College of Medicine. The two institutions will explore opportunities in student exchanges, internships and research projects

During the year, staff from the University held meetings with more than 100 clinical lecturers in the three teaching hospitals


COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTRCSI BAHRAIN ENHANCING THE STANDARDS OFEDUCATION, HEALTH AND WELLBEING IN OURLOCAL COMMUNITIES

The 2013 Charity Challenge saw a team of staff and students raise 5000BD for charity when they paddled around Bahrain in kayaks over three days

Staff and students during the annual Community Engagment charity trip to Lesotho in Africa


Students along with the Diabetes Mobile Unit visited the Abdulrahman Kanoo International School (ARKIS) where the children learnt about diabetes and healthy lifestyle choices

One of the winners of the Health Awareness Awards, Ms Ebaa Mamdooh Ali of Jidhafs Girls Secondary School with Professor Riyadh Hamzah, the Higher Education Council’s Secretary General, and Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Bahrain


Mr Declan J. MageePresident, RCSI

Professor Cathal KellyChief Executive, RCSI

Professor Johan HylandVice President, RCSI

Professor Sameer OtoomPresident, RCSI Bahrain

Mr Stephen Harrison-MirfieldChief Operating Officer,RCSI Bahrain

Professor Hannah McGeeDean, RCSI

Major General (Professor) Khalid Bin Ali Al KhalifaDirector of Bahrain Defence Force Royal Medical Services

Mr David MooreChairman, Academic Council, RCSI

Dr Aysha Mubarak Jaber BuaneqUndersecretary,Ministry of Health, Bahrain

Mr Mahmood Hashim Al KoohejiCEO, BahrainMumtalakat Holding Company

BOARDOF GOVERNORS


SENIOR MANAGEMENTTEAM

Professor Sameer OtoomPresident

Professor Joe McMenamin Vice President for Academic Affairs & Head of School of Medicine

Mr Stephen Harrison-MirfieldChief Operating Officer

Professor Seamus Cowman Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery

Mrs Deborrah Anne Concepcion-Lim Head of Finance

Mr Mohammed AbdullaHead of Estates and Support Services

Ms Siobhan Traynor HR Specialist

Professor David Whitford Head of School of Postgraduate Studies and Research

Dr Jean HughesAssociate Director for Academic Affairs

Dr Kathryn Strachan Head of Quality Enhancement

Mr Adrian Lydon Head of Communications

Mr Cathal PrendergastICT Manager


GOVERNANCEPRESIDENT’SREVIEW

Our strategic priorities are central to providing our students with an outstanding student experience and inspiring them to be future world leaders in healthcare and innovation

Building on the heritage of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, which was founded in 1784, I am proud to say that RCSI Bahrain continues to deliver its core mission to enhance health in Bahrain, the other GCC countries and beyond, through endeavour, innovation and collaboration in education, research and service.This annual report outlines the University’s position and highlights our achievements during the 2013/2014, which was a very productive and successful year.

We continue to implement our five year Strategic Plan, which we launched in 2012. The plan focuses on the three pillars of Teaching and Learning, Research and Community Engagement.

Our strategic priorities are central to providing our students with an outstanding student experience and inspiring them to be future world leaders in healthcare and innovation. For our staff, we are committed to investing in and developing our people as leaders in healthcare education. The establishment of the Professional Development Unit during the year is a significant step towards achieving this vision and will enable staff to reach their full potential and develop collective excellence.

Within the area of Teaching and Learning, we introduced awards for the clinical lecturers and clinical tutors who teach our medicine and nursing students during clinical placement.

I would once again like to congratulate those who received awards at our June conferring and thank them for their exemplary teaching skills and helping our students achieve such great success.

Within the area of Research, we continue to develop our research capacity. In the last year, we had 26 research publications in peer reviewed journals - seven of these included our undergraduate students as co-authors. Research with RCSI Dublin continues in projects looking at solar disinfection of water, and separately we have continued collaboration with the Japanese based firm SBI Pharmaceuticals, in oncology and diabetes research.

On the final pillar, Community Engagement, following a successful two-year pilot project in collaboration with Bahrain Diabetes Society, which has seen more than 1206 primary school students educated on the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle in combating Type II diabetes, I was delighted to announce that we are continuing with this project. In June, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, we announced the winners of the new health awareness awards competition programme for secondary schools, and in March we expanded our international involvement for student experience to include Vietnam.

Within the area of Research we continue to develop our research capacity. In the last year we had 26 research publications in peer reviewed journals


We continue to invest in the future of our students and RCSI Bahrain. We announced a US$700,000 investment in sports and recreation facilities, with the construction of an all-weather football pitch and a revamp of existing facilities within the existing sports hall. We look forward to opening these new facilities during the next academic year.

The year was marked by a number of appointments at senior management level. I was appointed as President and Professor Joe McMenamin was appointed as Vice President for Academic Affairs. We also appointed a new ICT Manager, Mr Cathal Prendergast.

The past year has been a successful and exciting year. The achievements and successes of RCSI Bahrain are due to the dedication, energy and loyalty of the individuals who comprise the staff of RCSI Bahrain and I would like to thank them all for their contribution.

I would also like to congratulate our students and staff for such outstanding achievements and to acknowledge the continuing support of our colleagues in Dublin, senior management, faculty and administrators. I also thank our stakeholders – the Ministry of Health including Salmaniya Medical Complex, Primary Healthcare Centres, Ministry of Education, Higher Education Council, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital, King Hamad University Hospital, Tamkeen, the Palm Association and the Private Hospitals, without their support we would not be able to achieve our goals. I look forward to working with all of you towards the successes of our future.

We continue to invest in the future of our students and RCSI Bahrain. During the year, we announced a $700,000 investment in sports and recreation facilities

Professor Sameer OtoomPresident, RCSI Bahrain

Professor Sameer Otoom and Dr Inder Pahal, Regional Director, Africa, Europe, Central and South Asia, Kaplan Health – International Recruitment during the signing of the agreement between RCSI Bahrain and Kaplan Health


VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS REVIEW

The curriculum in both our medical and nursing schools continues to be reviewed and improved

During the year and under the leadership of Dr Jean Hughes, the Student, Academic and Regulatory Affairs Department (SARA), underwent restructuring and re-organisation to become more efficient and to offer more effective academic support.

SARA is responsible for student records, examinations, programme academic support, the learning resource centre, careers and regulatory affairs and student support and development. It also ensures compliance with all external regulatory requirements relating to student documents, examinations and academic standards, as well as compliance with internal policies and procedures in the registry area.

This transformation during 2014 expanded a number of small, discrete units into a new, five-department structure which has several aims: to bring coherence and consistency across the SARA areas; to achieve a greater understanding of the different departments responsibilities and to achieve critical mass and shared expertise around core processes.

The following are the key changes implemented:

1. Five departments: Academic Operations; Records and Regulations; Careers and Alumni; Learning Resource Centre and Student Development and Wellbeing.

2. The newly established Academic Operations team brings together the cycle administration for the medicine programme and the programme administration for the nursing and postgraduate programmes as well as all exam-related functions.

3. New roles and responsibilities, in particular the devolution of exam coordination across a wider group of people, will result in shared expertise, closer cooperation and more robust academic administration procedures. This year the Final Medical Clinical Examinations were held for the first time in the King Hamad University Hospital which is adjacent to the University. The running of this complex examination process by SARA and our hospital colleagues was deemed to be highly successful.

4. Relocation of all departments to a central location.

5. Introduction of a Student Desk, which provides a central point of contact for all student queries and requests.

6. The Student Welfare department has been renamed ‘Student Development and Wellbeing’. This new title more accurately reflects the positive and developmental focus of the variety of activities supported by the department, in addition to student welfare and support. Within this department, the Student Support Centre has been renamed ‘The Centre for Student Success’, also to positively reinforce the proactive, and developmental opportunities afforded to all students in their learning pathways.

The Careers and Alumni area has been strengthened by the appointment of an Academic Director of Careers


7. The Careers and Alumni area has been strengthened by the appointment of Dr Ghufran Jassim, Academic Director of Careers who will provide disciplinary advice to students on future career choices. A successful Careers Symposium was held in February of this year at which international and local faculty participated. We intend to hold this symposium annually. The medical school is now a member of a number of international networks including the Global Heath Learning Opportunity (GHLO) network which has significantly increased the number of centres of excellence around the world where our undergraduates may go for elective study periods. A new video entitled “Nursing as a Career in Bahrain” was produced and launched by the School of Nursing & Midwifery.

In September, the student records system underwent a major upgrade. It now facilitates new web-based functionality, better security, access to a wider group of staff and students and a range of new functionality to assist in better supporting and recording the student journey through RCSI Bahrain. In addition, our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle) which provides the platform for student learning for undergraduates in both the medical and nursing schools has been significantly upgraded. The system now provides considerably more synchrony with the RCSI Dublin system.

As is the case in most universities, a pattern of reduced attendance had been observed in recent years, so it was decided that RCSI Bahrain needed to better record and monitor its student attendance. RCSI, Bahrain has a 100% attendance requirement and although there is a well-developed, manual recording system in the School of Nursing & Midwifery, a more robust and efficient way to record and monitor attendance was needed in the School of Medicine.

Over the past year, a full attendance recording system has been introduced in Foundation Year and Junior Cycle. This new system comprises a combination of electronic recording in large lecture theatres and manual attendance recording for practical and tutorial sessions.

The curriculum in both our medical and nursing schools continues to be reviewed and improved. Three curriculum review teams have been established to review the BSc Undergraduate, BSc Bridging and MSc Nursing programmes and map against the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The Medical Commencement Programme underwent revision and was accredited this year by the National University of Ireland. Curriculum reviews have also taken place in Foundation Year, Junior Cycle and Intermediate Cycle.

An agreement with Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) was established to provide the BSc Nursing Bridging education programme in Saudi Arabia.

FinalIy, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our academic, administrative, support and hospital based clinical staff for their endeavour and contribution during the past academic year to the continued success of our medical university.

The Medical Commencement Programme in the medical school underwent revision and was accredited this year by the National University of Ireland

Professor Joe McMenaminVice President for Academic Affairs


CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER’SREVIEW

The Operations team has contributed significantly to the continued development and improvement of this institution and we have gone from strength to strength

At the end of this, my first year with RCSI Bahrain, I look back with a great deal of pride in what has been achieved in this time. The Operations team has contributed significantly to the continued development and improvement of this institution and we have gone from strength to strength.

During the Academic Year 2013-14, a number of new and upgraded systems were introduced within RCSI Bahrain.

As part of our strategy of enhancing RCSI’s Organisational Capabilities, HR has been looking at new ways to support Staff Learning and Development. Following a successful trial, we are now providing all staff with access to the online training library of lynda.com. The lynda.com library provides 24-hour access to video-based training on a multitude of topics, with a library of over 2,000 courses. Courses include software skills covering all versions of Microsoft Office and Moodle as well as business topics such as project management, running effective meetings and team management.

Since March, a new admissions applications platform allows students access through a single application to a fully-integrated, online system which tracks and monitors their respective progression in the University.

RCSI Bahrain’s financial system, Agresso has also been upgraded to include online purchase order requests, approvals and procurements.

In June, the University established a new HR system for staff use. Through the automation of many previously manual processes, the new system, CORE, allows users to take a more proactive approach towards human resources.

Following a review of the Admissions department in December 2013, a number of changes to the department and its structure have been implemented.

The department was divided into two sections – Student Recruitment, which is responsible for the marketing and promotion of student recruitment, and admissions, which ensures a good flow of applicants and which processes applications quickly and efficiently. One major improvement was the extension and upgrade of the University’s sports facilities. In April 2014, it was announced that a US$700,000 investment would be made in the construction of a multipurpose, all-weather pitch and an upgrade of the existing sporting facilities.

During the Academic Year 2013-14, a number of new and upgraded systems were introduced within RCSI Bahrain


The investment was a direct result of previous student feedback, which we hope will greatly enhance the non-academic side of the student experience at RCSI Bahrain.

Following the successful participation by RCSI Bahrain in the 2013 Summer Conservation Initiative, the Estates and Support Services Department again achieved Bahrain’s Electricity and Water Authority’s targets set during the peak load over summer 2014. The Estates and Support Services Department also began working in collaboration with the Electricity and Water Authority in 2014, undertaking an extensive energy audit. The findings of this report will be actioned during the 2014/2015 academic year in order to reduce and conserve energy within RCSI Bahrain.

A significant focus throughout the year has been on communication with staff and students. In October 2013, a Staff Portal was launched. The Staff Portal is a key tool for disseminating information on the various activities of each department.

The introduction of regular Town Hall meetings now provides both students and staff with opportunities to ask questions in an open forum and to provide feedback to the senior management team on the most pressing issues.

This year we have also carried out an upgrade of Wi-Fi across all student areas in the University.

Staff at RCSI Bahrain will always be its greatest asset and it is a priority for us as an organisation to ensure that all parties engage with each other.

There were a number of appointments during the year. Ms Kim Dewhurst was appointed Head of Admissions, Mr Frank McCarthy was appointed Head of Recreation and Services and Mr Tom Hanratty took up the position of Student Services Manager.

The introduction of regular Town Hall meetings now provides both students and staff with opportunities to ask questions in an open forum

Stephen Harrison-MirfieldChief Operating Officer

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE


RCSI Bahrain aims to nurture, to challenge and to motivate our students to realise their full potential, not just as undergraduates, but by creating life-long learners.


On June 16, 2014, RCSI Bahrain held its annual conferring ceremony on campus. This year, 81 students graduated and were presented with their degrees by the University’s new President, Professor Sameer Otoom, the new RCSI Dublin President, Mr Declan Magee and the National University of Ireland Registrar, Dr Attracta Halpin.

The ceremony was also highlighted by the presentation of awards for the best hospital-based clinical teachers chosen by Final Year medical students.

I would like to thank and congratulate the winners: Adjunct Professor Mary Lynch Altarif, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital; Dr Ahsan Butt, King Hamad University Hospital; Dr Fatima Abdulla, Salmaniya Medical Complex and Dr Farishta Hussain, Department of Family Medicine.

This year, the final medical clinical examination was held for the first time in King Hamad University Hospital. I would like to thank the hospital administration and staff at the hospital for facilitating this. The examination process was highly commended both by our graduating students and external examiners. I would also like to thank the other Bahrain hospitals which assisted in providing clinical cases for this examination.

Since 2010, RCSI Bahrain has graduated five cohorts of students totalling 307 medical graduates. We are very pleased to report that in the past two academic years, the performance of RCSI Bahrain students in the final year has been comparable with their RCSI Dublin counterparts.

This year, 65 internship places were offered to RCSI Bahrain’s 2014 graduating class by our three affiliated hospitals, King Hamad University Hospital, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital and Salmaniya Medical Complex.

Since 2010, RCSI Bahrain graduates have been accepted into postgraduate training posts in GCC countries, the United States, Canada and several European countries including the United Kingdom.

Across different provinces in Canada earlier this year, RCSI Bahrain was designated an “eligible institution for student financial assistance”. This was the result of a successful application by RCSI Bahrain, which met all of the eligibility requirements.

In 2013, the medical school was invited to join the Global Education in Medicine Exchange (GEMx) affiliated to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduate (ECFMG) and the Global Health Learning Opportunities Collaborative (GHLO), affiliated to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Both initiatives provide a network of collaborating institutions around the world, facilitating global mobility for our medical students pursuing international clinical or research electives.


SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Professor Joe McMenamin with medical graduates during the June conferring


Professor Joe McMenaminHead of School of Medicine

RCSI Bahrain and Kaplan Health recently signed an agreement which will allow Kaplan Health to offer its USMLE - Step 1 Live Preparation Programme at RCSI Bahrain.

This includes a lecture series of live online lectures offered by Kaplan’s world-class US medical faculty with the quality, structured, interactive experience normally only offered in Kaplan’s American centres.

In March 2013, the School of Medicine hosted a Career Guidance symposium which was attended by more than 100 students from RCSI Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf University.

The symposium featured a list of distinguished national and international speakers who spoke on a variety of specialty career choices. The symposium was deemed a great success by all attendees.

Congratulations to Dr Ghufran Jassim, Department of Family Medicine, who has been appointed Director of Career Guidance.

Another successful symposium was organised and held by RCSI Bahrain students in April. The symposium on dermatology, which included poster illustrations of common skin diseases, attracted a large number of students, including some from the Arabian Gulf University. The speakers were from various health institutions in Bahrain.

On behalf of the School of Medicine, I would like to thank Dr Jean Hughes, Associate Director for Academic Affairs, for setting up the new Student Affairs Regulatory Authority (SARA) in RCSI Bahrain and for her significant contribution to facilitating convergence of the exam process between RCSI Bahrain and RCSI Dublin.

The School of Medicine is delighted to announce the promotion of both Dr Ghufran Jassim, Department of Family Medicine and Dr Declan Gaynor, Director of Foundation Year to Senior Lecturers. The school is also pleased to welcome two new members to the academic staff, Dr Azra Mahmud, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology and Dr David Misselbrook, Senior Lecturer, Department of Family Medicine.

Dr Ahsan Butt from King Hamad University Hospital receiving the award for best hospital-based clinical teacher

Dr Joshua Brooks from Kaplan Health presenting certificates to candidates

SCHOOL OF NURSINGAND MIDWIFERY


The School of Nursing and Midwifery aims to continue to be innovative, flexible and responsive to our potential student population in our educational approach.



SCHOOL OF NURSINGAND MIDWIFERY

During the annual conferring, which took place on June 16, 2014, 135 degrees in nursing were awarded. During the ceremony awards were presented for the best hospital-based clinical tutors as chosen by Final Year nursing students.

At the conferring ceremony in November, the families of two nursing students, Ms Ramla Ali Ahmed Qassim Ahmed and Manal Adel Mohamed Qamber, who died in a tragic car accident on their way to clinical placement were presented with Aegrotat Awards.

At the start of start of the academic year, 490 students were registered with the School’s nursing education programmes

In December, a significant development during the year was the signing of a contract between the University and the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) to provide the BSc Nursing Bridging education programme in Saudi Arabia. Staff from the School of Nursing & Midwifery in Bahrain regularly travel to Dhahran in Saudi Arabia to deliver the programme’s individual modules. There are 20 candidates registered with the University for the programme.

During the year three curriculum review teams were established to review the BSc Nursing, BSc Bridging and MSc Nursing programmes. This is the first major review since the commencement of the programmes. High-quality clinical learning environments are essential to clinical competency developments in nursing. It is significant, therefore, that during this academic year, nursing students at RCSI Bahrain were offered clinical placements in the King Hamad University Hospital. This important collaboration, alongside our other partner institutions – the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital, Salmaniya Medical Complex and several primary care centres in Bahrain – which provides a strong base for clinical learning at RCSI Bahrain.

A new clinical Teaching & Learning Committee has been established in the School and includes representation from our clinical partner institutions and the University. A review of Clinical Tutor job descriptions and new policy and procedures have been agreed.

More than 80 nursing students attended a Basic Life Support (BLS) course, provided by the American Heart Association. Following examination, the students were certified as BLS providers.

The School celebrated International Nurses Day on May 13, 2014. Among those who attended were representatives from other health service institutions and the event included a scientific seminar and a range of social and interactive activities conducted by nursing students and lecturers.

Through the School’s ongoing work to develop the Ruffaida Honor Nursing Society, membership numbers have increased, which include registered nurses and students.

Professor Sameer Otoom presents the Clinical Tutor Award to Ms. Cini G.Thankachan from King Hamad University Hospital

The families of the two nursing students who died in a traffic accident receiving Aegrotat awards at the November conferring ceremony

During 2014, three well-attended events were held. The Rufaida Honor Nursing Society organised a successful Nursing Careers Day at RCSI Bahrain for graduating students, attended by more than 200 students and staff from RCSI Bahrain and the College of Health Sciences, University of Bahrain.

In April, a new blog for the Rufaida Honor Nursing Society, www.ruffaidahonorysociety.com was launched and in November, an induction ceremony for new fellows took place, at which Professor Rowaida Al-Ma’aitah from Jordan University of Science & Technology was the keynote speaker. As part of her PhD, Ms Eman Tawash, nursing lecturer, produced a video on nursing as a career in Bahrain. The PhD study aims to identify factors that influence high-school students and their parents in choosing nursing as a career. It also explores strategies to promote nursing.

In promoting nursing as a career, the video will inform high-school students in both government schools and private schools, as well as their parents and career advisors. The video will be used for research purposes and utilised as a marketing tool for nursing recruitment in Bahrain.

In January, I was appointed to the Lancet Commission in England to be part of an international committee undertaking a review of Nursing in England.


Professor Seamus CowmanHead of School of Nursing & Midwifery

More than 200 students and academic staff from RCSI Bahrain and the College of Health Sciences in the University of Bahrain attending a Nursing Careers Day at the University

Dr Catherine O’Neill and Mr Sultan Muhammad launching a website for the Rufaida Honor Nursing Society

The Rufaida Honor Nursing Society hosted a very successful Nursing Careers Day on the 3rd June

SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATESTUDIES& RESEARCH


The mission of RCSI Bahrain inresearch is to improve human healththrough clinical and laboratory basedresearch informed by bedsideproblems, societal and global healthchallenges.



SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATESTUDIES& RESEARCH

The School of Postgraduate Studies and Research plays an important role in RCSI Bahrain. It provides access to fourth-level education and encourages research within the remit of the University’s Strategic Plan 2012-2017, which outlines the following three objectives:

• Developing research-active staff• Promoting research-led teaching and learning• Developing a small number of key thematic areas and research clusters

ResearchThe University’s research capacity continues to grow slowly but surely. It is hoped that the recent commission by The Health Education Council in Bahrain of Stanford University to assist in developing a national research strategy, will facilitate the further development of the local research centre. In the meantime, RCSI Bahrain is seeking to increase its internal expenditure on research.

One highlight of the year has been the establishment within RCSI Bahrain of two MSc by Research students assisting Dr Claire Donnellan in her research on “Predictors of vascular cognitive impairment post stroke in a Bahraini cohort: A case-control proposed comparison”. This research is a collaborative project with the Neurology Department at the Salmaniya Medical Complex and the Al-Jawhara Centre for Molecular Medicine.

Another highlight of the year was the PhD graduation of Dr Ghufran Jassim. Dr Jassim graduated from RCSI Dublin and was awarded her PhD at the ceremony in Bahrain for her research titled “Quality of life of Bahraini women with breast cancer”.

Collaboration continues with SBI Pharmaceutical, a Japanese company producing a food supplement, 5 aminolevulinic acid. Three projects are underway: Professor Martin Corbally is developing research into the use of this compound in photodynamic diagnosis, photodynamic therapy and screening of various cancers; Professor David Whitford is developing a clinical trial of the use of 5 ALA in diabetes control, and Dr Edwina Brennan is looking into anti-fungal properties of 5-ALA.

Dr Michael Keogh continues a research collaboration with Professor Kevin McGuigan in RCSI Dublin on the SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) project. He is also working with Dr Khalifa Elmusharaf in developing research in Sudan on medicinal properties of gum arabic.

In October, four faculty from Kochi University visited RCSI Bahrain and participated in a research workshop

Dr Ghufran Jassim receiving her PhD parchement from Dr Maurice Manning, Chancellor, National University of Ireland


Professor David L WhitfordHead of School of Postgraduate Studies & Research

Summer Student ResearchEnthusiasm for research among students continues with RCSI Bahrain’s funding of 11 student research projects for the summer of 2014. In addition, the University produced 14 research publications in the past year and awarded eight research grants totaling BD41,000 to faculty.

Postgraduate StudiesRCSI Bahrain is committed to providing more opportunities for postgraduate studies, both research and taught, on a comprehensive ladder of continuing education. This includes extending the numbers of taught programmes at Masters level and moving towards the provision of PhD opportunities. Presently, there are 10 faculty engaged in Doctoral studies.

The University continues to deliver taught programmes (Masters in Nursing), as well as hosted programmes delivered through the Institute of Leadership (Masters in Healthcare Management and Masters in Quality & Safety in Healthcare Management).

Dr Claire Donnellan with two MSc research students, Dr Mona Abdulla and Dr Noor Ghuloom.

Dr Kevin McGuigan, RCSI Dublin with Dr Michael Keogh and Dr Khalifa Elmusharaf presenting at RCSI Dublin’s research day on the 20th March

“Physicians are no more likely to intervene in conditions where simple therapeutic changes are necessary as opposed to complex changes. Greater clinical inertia leads to poorer outcomes. There continues to be substantial clinical inertia in routine clinical practice.”

Whitford, D. L., Al-Anjawi, H. A., Al-Baharna, M. M. Impact of clinical inertia on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes. Primary Care Diabetes 2014; 8:133-138

QUALITYASSURANCE & ENHANCEMENT REVIEW



A Professional Development Unit was established in February, which supports staff in enabling each individual to reach their full potential and develop collective excellence.


QUALITY ASSURANCE &ENHANCEMENT REVIEW

In keeping with RCSI Bahrain’s Strategic Plan, to embrace a culture of quality within the University and to enhance the quality of teaching and learning, the Professional Development Unit (PDU) was established in February 2014. The PDU supports all staff to enable each individual to reach their full potential and develop collective excellence.

The remit of the PDU is to promote and where appropriate, provide support in:

• Staff Development• Teaching & Learning• Healthcare Professions Research

The PDU has conducted a training needs analysis (TNA) of all clinical lecturers in medicine and all academic and administrative staff in the University. A professional development programme has been implemented, based on the TNA for both clinical and academic staff.

To support the work of the PDU a health professions education working group (HPEWG) has been set up with the remit to stimulate and support a culture of faculty and staff excellence. It will promote and enhance best practice in teaching and learning to improve the quality of the student experience.

RCSI Bahrain staff attending the Education Forum in Dublin in June The PDU supports all staff to enable each individual to reach their full potential and develop collective excellence


Dr Kathryn StrachanHead of Quality Enhancement

National Qualifications Framework - Pilot Programme MappingThe RCSI Bahrain BSc Nursing undergraduate programme was successfully validated as part of a pilot to map the programme for level and credit against the new National Qualifications Framework.

Institutional Listing - Pilot ProgrammeRCSI Bahrain participated and gained full approval in an Institutional Listing pilot programme to map academic policies and procedures against international standards.

SurveysIn 2013-2014, the Quality Enhancement office developed staff, student, employer and alumni surveys. The staff survey has been conducted and assessed progress in achieving the key performance indicators of the strategic plan, and the findings were presented at the staff Town Hall meetings. The results are below.

1. RCSI Bahrain Staff Survey

Staff during a training course being run by the Professional Development Unit

2. RCSI Bahrain Alumni SurveyThe design of the alumni survey is based on the CareerEdge’s employability tool. The employer and alumni surveys are interrelated and are mapped against the medicine and nursing graduate profiles. These two surveys will be used on an annual basis to gain information on the quality of RCSI Bahrain graduates and their respective programmes of study.

Results of the student, employer and alumni surveys will be published during the next academic year, 2014 – 2015.

New staff membersIn February, Ms Amal Al-Gallaf joined the Quality Enhancement Office as the Quality Officer. Ms Amal has considerable experience as an academic member of staff in the Language & Culture Unit and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education at the British University in Dubai.

In July, Ms Sumaya Hashim returned from RCSI Dublin following completion of her MSc in Health Professions Education to join the Professional Development Unit as administrative coordinator.

With both Ms Al-Gallaf’s and Ms Hashim’s assistance, the Quality Enhancement Office will grow from strength to strength.

Summary of overall responses (56%)

g positive 61.69%

g negative 15.15%

g neutral 18.12%

g blank 5.04%

Pillar Positive Negative Blank/Neutral

Community Engagement 87 0 13

Teaching & Learning 84 1 14

Research* 42 17 40*note respondents recognized early stage in development and commitment for future development

Rating status by pillar


COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

RCSI Bahrain recognises the significance of education and health management in both the life of an individual and within the community. It is committed to finding ways in which to give back to our communities in Bahrain. We support and salute the efforts of many of our staff and students who volunteer their time and skills on a continued basis.



COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Community Engagement Office aims to support the University’s strategic goals; to expand on the foundations of the University’s mission and vision and to remain in line with the “2030 Framework” for the Kingdom of Bahrain (Al Manamah Document).

The office is supported by staff and students who volunteer their time and business acumen. The Paediatric Diabetes Mobile UnitA two-year collaborative pilot project between the Bahrain Diabetes Society (BDS) and the University was completed in June 2014. Centered around educational and awareness activities in relation to a healthy lifestyle and fitness, the Paediatric Diabetes Mobile Unit has educated 1206 primary school children in both government and private schools within Bahrain. This project is supported by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Rotary Club of Manama and Lilly.

Incorporated into the School of Nursing curriculum, 54 undergraduate nursing volunteers from Year 3 collaborated during the two-year pilot programme. This same group also supported and participated in the many diabetic-related external events such as the 2013 BDS Diabetes Walkathon, 2013 Diabetic Picnic, 2013 and 2014 IKNS Health Awareness Days, 2013 and 2014 Shurooq Camp, BNI Arad Bay Walkathon, Durrat Day in support of BDS, and the 2014 RCSI Bahrain Charity Challenge.

Charity ChallengeIn November 2013, the Charity Challenge – an annual event based on the concept of a physical challenge – saw a team of staff and students circumnavigate Bahrain in open seas kayaks (165 kilometres) in three days. The challenge raised BD6000 which was donated to the Bahrain Diabetes Society Insulin Pump Programme. Two paediatric candidates were presented with the insulin pumps in the presence of H. E (Dr) Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Diabetes Society, family, staff and media at an event in RCSI Bahrain in February 2014.

The Community Engagement Office supports the Charity Challenge, which is the brainchild of Dr Declan Gaynor.

Foundation Year Elective, OutreachA programme in which undergraduate medical students can earn credits for their participation in the RCSI Bahrain Outreach Programme under the umbrella of the ‘Professionalism’ elective, is now in its third year.

During this six-week programme, students attend a variety of selected community projects on a voluntary basis, which are completed with a report and presentation. Participating groups included Alia for Early Intervention; Little Starz Pre-school; Batelco Care Centre for Family Violence; Be-Free Center; Hope Institute for Special Education; Durrat Al Riffa Senior Social Club and the RIA Institute.

The elective exposes the students to a variety of support mechanisms available in the Kingdom, which, for many participants, was their first form of community engagement.

As the Outreach elective is the most requested by Foundation Year students, it will now be part of extracurricular credit in the coming Foundation Year.

Professor Riyadh Hamzah, the Higher Education Council’s Secretary General, and Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Bahrain, inspect the winning entries in the Health Awareness Awards

Staff and students at the completion of their charity challenge in Amwaj Marina, Amwaj Islands

More than 60 students participated in the RCSI Bahrain Science Fair as part of the Foundation Year Elective


Health Awareness AwardsIn collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Community Engagement Office successfully piloted a Health Awareness Awards project to raise awareness of pertinent health matters among Bahrain’s teenage population.

Directed at Year 11 and 12 students in the government school system, the scheme aims to enable the students to have a better understanding of current health issues among young people in Bahrain.

Each of the 28 submissions from nine different schools was judged on three main aspects: clarity of the health issue; the written brief and graphical impact.

Staff and student Community Engagement volunteers support a number of other events throughout the year. They support charity events as marshals and volunteers or utilise their clinical knowledge by supporting healthcare clinics in areas such as non-invasive blood pressure, health awareness techniques, body mass index, glucometre analysis, and data collection for research.

These events include:• Health Awareness Days• Shurooq Camp for children with diabetes• Blood Donation Drive

The Community Engagement Office has been a major supporter of a University policy on reduced printing and recycling paper waste. The Office has overseen the introduction of recycling bins throughout the University.

International Community EngagementCooperating with health-focused institutions and international charitable organisations in neighbouring developing countries, RCSI Bahrain initiated support in cooperation with Action Ireland for a visit to Lesotho in February for the second time, and Vietnam, in collaboration with Operation Child Life, in March.

In February, one member of faculty from the School of Nursing and four final-year students from nursing and medicine, travelled to Lesotho in southern Africa.

The students worked with local healthcare workers alongside a GP, a dentist and nurses from Ireland. They were also involved in community projects, assisting in hospital refurbishment and teaching and training e.g. Basic Life Support with Dublin Fire Brigade which was delivered to staff members in the Roma College of Nursing and St Joseph’s Hospital in Roma.

In March, two undergraduate students travelled to Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam. The students were part of an Operation Child Life Volunteer team, providing surgical services and care to patients at the Children’s Hospital.

Students Ms Zina Al Haddad and Ms Hawra Al Nasooh on the International Community Engagement trip to Vietnam with Professor Martin Corbally and a team from Operation Child Life

Each year the Community Engagement Office organises blood donation drives among staff and students

Ms Julie SprakelHead of Community Engagement


STUDENTACTIVITIES


RCSI Bahrain students are involved in several extra-curricular activities, with highlights during the year including the International Festival and Clubs and Societies Day.


STUDENTACTIVITIESTHERE ARE 25 CLUBS AND SOCIETIES IN RCSI BAHRAIN WHICH HELP CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL DIVERSITY

St. Patrick’s DayRCSI Bahrain went green on March 17 to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. In similar fashion to Bahrain National Day, the St Patrick’s Day celebrations featured displays of Irish food and dance as well as plenty of fun and games for staff and students.

Student Activities As well as providing top-level academic programmes, RCSI Bahrain offers a variety of extracurricular activities which strive to make the overall student experience well-balanced and worthwhile.

Students are invited to join the annual Model United Nations Conference, International Night and the Clubs and Societies Day, in addition to a range of sports, social and other activities organised throughout the year alongside more than 25 established clubs and societies within RCSI Bahrain’s Student Council. There are also further opportunities to suit the University’s culturally-diverse student population.

Some of the main events throughout the year included:

Clubs and Societies DayClubs and Societies Day took place at start of the academic year. It provided an opportunity for established clubs and societies to showcase their activities and attract more members, and for new students to see all that the University has to offer.

International FestivalThe International Festival has quickly become one of the most popular events at RCSI Bahrain. All students are invited to join in and celebrate their respective countries with traditional foods, traditional clothing and entertainment. With such a diverse range of nationalities represented at the college, including GCC states, African, European and Asian countries as well as North and South America, the International Festival provides a fascinating insight to what, for many, are new tastes and cultures.

Winter BallThe annual Winter Ball continues to be one of the biggest events of the academic year. Taking on a different theme each year, the black tie ball invites students and staff to put their gowns and tuxedos to good use at one of Bahrain’s top hotels.


Bahrain National DayThe month of December could not pass without celebrating Bahrain’s National Day (December 16) and, like so many on the island, we here at RCSI Bahrain like to go all out. With the atrium of the main campus decked out in the colours of the Bahraini flag, celebrations included henna painting, dance performances and live cooking of traditional Bahraini fare.

Homecoming Traditionally, the first major social event on the calendar, Homecoming serves as a ”welcome back to university” for returning students after the summer holidays and it also provided a great opportunity for new students to mingle and be introduced to others in different classes.

Talent Show Run by the Student Council in conjunction with the Student Services office, the annual Talent Show is the perfect showcase for the students’ varied and often previously-hidden talents. Over the last couple of years, the Elite Seef Residence has provides a superb setting for an eclectic mix of performances including song, dance, instrumentals and monologues.

Clubs and Societies Awards CeremonyThe annual Clubs and Societies Awards night in May marked the official culmination of this year’s student events calendar and once again took place in the extravagant surroundings of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Reflecting the development of RCSI Bahrain’s clubs and societies as well as the Student Council itself, the event provided an opportunity to acknowledge contributions made towards college life, by clubs, societies, sports teams, individuals and events.

In April, Mr Tom Hanratty was appointed Student Services Manager. Thank you to Ms May Maher, Events Manager, who looked after Student Events prior to Mr Hanratty’s appointment.

Skin Disease Symposium This symposium was organised and held by RCSI Bahrain students in April. The symposium on dermatology, which included poster illustrations of common skin diseases, attracted a large number of students, including some from the Arabian Gulf University. The speakers were from various health institutions in Bahrain.

Mr Stephen Harrison-Mirfield presenting Student Council President, Ms Mahwesh Niaz with the Mahwesh Niaz Award. This Award has been introduced to honour Ms Mahwesh’s outstanding contribution to the Student body

RCSI BahrainBuilding 2441, Road 2835Block 228, BusaiteenKingdom of BahrainTel: +973 1735 1450Fax: +973 1733 0806Email: [email protected]

Documents

RCSI BAHRAIN ANNUAL REPORT 2013/14 · Bin Ali Al-Amri from Bahrain. RCSI Committed to Education Excellence 5 In April, a delegation from RCSI Bahrain visited Taiwan and signed a number