Medical students visit from Saudi Arabia

For the fourth year, a group of students from the College of Medicine at Al Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud University in Saudi Arabia visited the Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine (ISTM) during August 2014.

Mr Mark Smith, Dr Paul Roach, Professor Andy Garner & other representatives from Keele University welcome the Saudi students.

The fourteen students and their tutor learnt about the latest research carried out at ISTM and the University Hospital of North Midlands (UHNM), including plenty of hands-on experience learning techniques and how to use the latest scientific equipment. Lectures included a visit to the Keele Active Virtual Environment (KAVE) and Anatomy Suite, and tours of UHNM departments such as the Cancer Centre and Obs & Gynae which host significant research projects involving UHNM patients. The students were also able to experience British culture with a traditional fish and chip dinner at the home of Mark Smith, ISTM's Research Manager.

The academic programme has been developed and managed by Dr Paul Roach, and this year the students were accompanied by Dr Waleed Al-Shaqha, Vice Dean for Research at Al Imam University. Dr Al-Shaqha took the opportunity to meet Professor Andy Garner, Dean of Health, and other key staff in the University and UHNM to discuss future collaborations, undergraduate medical student placements and research degrees.