In an effort to enhance dental education and training in Sierra Leone, the University of Sierra Leone (USL) has entered into a significant partnership with Mercy Ships, the faith-based international non-profit charitable organization.
The collaboration aims to provide specialized dental education opportunities for Sierra Leonean medical students at USL’s College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS).
The agreement, formalized through a “Memorandum of Agreement” signed by USL’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Brig. Gen. Prof. Foday Sahr, and the Country Director of Mercy Ships, lays the groundwork for training healthcare professionals in the field of dental surgery. As part of this collaboration, selected medical students from Sierra Leone will pursue doctoral degrees in Dental Surgery at the prestigious Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Conakry, Guinea.
The program is set to kick off in October of this year, with the first group of seven medical students embarking on a six-year training journey. The initial year will focus on intensive French language training, followed by four years of comprehensive dental training. The final year will be dedicated to intensive clinical work at the Gamal Dental School.
One of the key elements of the agreement is Mercy Ships’ commitment to provide financial and administrative support to ensure the successful completion of the program, including covering travel costs for the students.
On the other hand, the University of Sierra Leone will play a crucial role in assisting potential candidates to meet the prerequisites for enrollment at the Gamal Abdel Nasser University. USL will be responsible for student selection and facilitating the acquisition of necessary documentation, among other support.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in USL’s ongoing efforts to enhance its academic offerings. In line with the Vice-Chancellor’s “re-engineering” initiative, the University has introduced a dentistry component, leading to the establishment of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences and Dentistry.
Through this groundbreaking partnership, both USL and Mercy Ships are dedicated to empowering Sierra Leonean medical students with world-class dental education, ultimately improving the nation’s healthcare sector and fostering skilled healthcare professionals to serve their communities effectively.
