First ANU Medical Students start work

After years of planning and thousands of hours of preparation, the Australian National University (ANU) Medical School has opened its doors, accepting its inaugural intake of 80 first-year students.

The Medical School will offer a four-year medical program to graduate students, with a strong emphasis on rural and regional health care. Graduates will receive a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Degree.

Located in a new, high-technology building, the Medical School will primarily use problem-based learning to instruct students.

"This is a great day for the ANU Medical School and for regional Australia," the Dean of the Medical School, Professor Paul Gatenby said.

"After years of work, the nation's capital at last has its own medical school - and we aim to be second-to-none in Australia.

"By establishing a whole new medical program, we have been able to develop a curriculum which draws from the strengths of many others and to deliver a high quality medical education program in a modern way, concentrating heavily on problem solving.

"The program aims to produce graduates who are committed to compassionate ethical health care and the expansion of medical knowledge.

"This program is great news for regional Australia, which continues to suffer from shortages of medical practitioners. Graduates will undoubtedly work around Australia, but with our emphasis on healthcare for rural and regional areas, we expect many will go on to work in country areas."

The school has been allocated 5 rural bonded and 75 Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) funded students, and will enrol up to 12 international students.

Graduates are accepted from a range of academic backgrounds and are selected on the basis of academic achievement, an interview and a pass at each section of the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admission Test (GAMSAT).