KPU partnership creates more medical school pathways
New agreements with two Caribbean universities will offer students access to MD programs
The partnership with AUC and RUSM was established by KPU International’s Office of Global Engagement. (Submitted/Diego Minor Martínez)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has partnered with universities in the Caribbean on two medical school pathways.
The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and Ross University School of Medicine will give KPU students access to doctor of medicine (MD) programs.
“The collaboration began when the North American representative for the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) and Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) reached out to KPU to explore the possibility of creating pathway opportunities for our students,” Zainab Al-koubaisi, director of global engagement at KPU, wrote in an email statement to The Runner.
The partnership, established by KPU International’s Office of Global Engagement, includes application fee waivers, guaranteed interviews for eligible candidates, partner scholarships, and housing supports.
“With Canadian medical school admissions more competitive than ever, this partnership helps ease the challenges of the traditional application process, giving students a clear path to achieve their goals to become a physician,” AUC and RUSM Associate Director of Global Partnerships Suji Jeong said in a press release.
KPU International Associate Vice-President Carole St. Laurent said KPU is committed to creating international pathways that support students’ goals.
“KPU has been exploring ways to better support students who aspire to careers in medicine and other health professions but may not always see a clear route forward after completing their undergraduate studies,” Al-koubaisi wrote.
This is KPU’s third medical school pathway with a Caribbean university. In 2021, KPU announced a partnership with St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies.
“Since establishing an earlier pathway with St. George’s University, we have been tracking the number of KPU students who have expressed interest in pursuing medicine or veterinary medicine,” Al-koubaisi wrote. “What we have seen is that there is strong interest among our students in these career paths.”
Al-koubaisi wrote that both AUC and RUSM have experience training physicians and placing graduates into residency programs in the United States and Canada.
AUC has MD program sites in Sint Maarten and Preston, England, and hands-on clinical training takes place in the U.S. and U.K. At RUSM, students complete their clinical sciences curriculum in years three and four at teaching hospitals in the U.S.
“These clinical placements primarily take place in the United States, with some opportunities available in Canada during the fourth year depending on availability and program arrangements,” Al-koubaisi wrote.
Jeong said that Canada is facing a “serious shortage of doctors” and the partnership allows for growth.
“Our goal is to expand opportunities for KPU graduates by creating clearer academic ladders into professional programs such as medicine,” Al-koubaisi added.
“By establishing these partnerships, we hope to provide students with more options and support as they plan their long-term academic and career pathways.”
