An Academic Milestone

FMPS Celebrates First Graduating Class

Dschang, UDs/SIC-08/07/24.The Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences (FMPS) at the University of Dschang celebrates the graduation of its first cohort of medical doctors and pharmacists, totaling 62 graduates, since its inception in 2017. This achievement is attributed to the leadership of Prof. Roger TSAFACK NANFOSSO, Rector of the University of Dschang, and the pioneering Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Simeon Pierre CHOUKEM, along with their dedicated team. They established a robust mechanism to propel the faculty to its current success, producing well-trained medical professionals ready to enter the healthcare sector.

The creation of the faculty and the subsequent appointment of the Dean on January 29, 2018, marked a significant milestone. Prof. Choukem’s administrative acumen has been instrumental in fulfilling the mission set by the Head of State, with a resilient team of administrators focused on training healthcare professionals to positively impact society. « The 2017-2018 academic year is a legendary year, » asserts Prof. Choukem. The Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences was founded on November 24, 2017, taking over the former building of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, thus beginning its journey. The commitment of both teaching and non-teaching staff has been crucial to the faculty’s success, achieved through rigorous competitive examinations, supervision, research, and timely publication of results as per the academic calendar. Despite starting operations four months after its establishment, the dedicated administrators and lecturers, guided by the Rector, rose to the challenge.

To ensure professionalism and competitiveness in training healthcare practitioners, an urgent committee was established. Classes were held every day of the week, from morning till evening, with holiday periods cancelled, and the gap between semesters reduced, ensuring timely publication of results. The faculty comprises a Dean, three Vice Deans, two Heads of Division, 12 Heads of Departments, and four Chiefs of Service, forming the Denary Council. With 45 qualified teaching staff and 25 non-teaching staff, coordinated by Dean Prof. Choukem, the faculty has achieved remarkable success. « Rigor is our watchword, » says Prof. Choukem. « There is nothing that can be built to last without rigor. »

The intensive programs and strict supervision have instilled discipline and professionalism in the graduates. Prof. Choukem expresses confidence that the final results, to be published soon, will reflect the high-quality training provided by the faculty. Quality assurance is upheld by a panel of eminent juries and professional medical practitioners overseeing the defense sessions. The students’ research topics address key health issues, aiming to improve the medical field. The reports from the 62 students have been promising, as they prepare to defend their work before renowned jury members. These defenses will mark a significant milestone for the new generation of doctors and pharmacists in Cameroon. Following their defense, these new healthcare professionals are expected to address the challenges of the Cameroonian health system, in both urban hospitals and rural health centers. They will combat endemic diseases, improve access to quality healthcare, and develop medical solutions tailored to the population’s needs, thanks to the dynamic team at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences./RN