Latest news with #USMLE
NDTV
10-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Why Do Indian Students Opt For Medical Education Abroad
With the number of NEET-UG aspirants reaching nearly 23 lakh in 2025 and just around 1.1 lakh MBBS seats available across the country, a growing number of Indian students are turning to medical colleges abroad to fulfil their ambitions. The sharp demand-supply imbalance in India's medical education system is prompting many to seek opportunities in countries across Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. Out of the total seats, approximately 55,000 are in government medical colleges where tuition fees are subsidised. The intense competition for these limited seats forces many high-scoring candidates to either look at costly private colleges or explore options abroad. This trend, experts say, is driven by necessity rather than choice. "Studying abroad can ease the academic pressure typical of the Indian medical entrance system," said a medical education consultant. "International programmes often offer multiple intakes and more flexible admission criteria, considering a student's overall academic profile, language skills, extracurricular achievements, and interview performance," Arunesh Kumar, Country Head - India & South East Asia, Manipal's American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine. Beyond accessibility, global medical universities are also attracting Indian students with modern infrastructure, integrated curricula, and early clinical exposure. Many Caribbean medical schools, for instance, combine foundational education on island campuses with clinical training in hospitals in the United States. Such programmes allow students to interact with peers from diverse nationalities and gain a global perspective essential for today's healthcare systems. Accreditation is another factor shaping the decision. Many international medical universities are listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and are recognised by global bodies such as the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), and region-specific authorities like the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). These recognitions enable graduates to pursue licensure in countries such as the US, UK, and Canada, through standardised exams like USMLE or PLAB. For students seeking specialisation and a global career trajectory, international medical education offers a structured path. "While studying medicine abroad comes with challenges such as cultural adaptation and passing foreign licensing exams, it remains a strategic option," the consultant added. "For those unable to secure domestic seats or those aiming for global careers, it's not a fallback - it's a forward-looking decision."
India Today
09-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
14-day visa-free entry boosts Philippines as top choice for Indian medical students
With NEET UG 2025 results approaching, limited seats and high fees are pushing students abroad. The Philippines stands out for its newly announced 14-day visa-free entry for Indian nationals, making campus visits and initial enrolment hassle-free. Along with affordable tuition and internationally recognised medical degrees, classes are taught in English and students gain early hands-on clinical training. A growing Indian community on campus also makes settling in Pillai, Managing Director, Transworld Educare has shared how these factors combine to make the Philippines a practical and welcoming option for medical ACCESS: SIMPLIFYING THE JOURNEYHere's a game-changer: visa-free entry for Indian nationals into the Philippines. This isn't just about cutting red tape; it simplifies the journey. Students and parents can visit campuses, attend orientations, and experience the environment without the stress of visa delays. This ease of movement boosts student mobility, allowing families to get firsthand insights - a valuable step when making a major decision about studying FEES: A SMART INVESTMENT COMPARED TO INDIA Let's talk finances, often the biggest hurdle. Private medical colleges in India can come with eye-watering costs that rise every year. The Philippines offers a far more affordable structure without compromising on quality. Tuition typically ranges between Rs 22 lakhs to Rs 31 lakhs for the full programme, depending on the university. Add savings from visa-free travel, and the overall value becomes hard to ignore for families seeking quality and RECOGNISED MEDICAL COLLEGES: WHO AND NMC ACCREDITATIONadvertisementQuality assurance is essential when choosing a medical school abroad. The Philippines is home to many institutions recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and India's National Medical Commission (NMC). This dual recognition ensures your degree is valid in India and globally. Graduates are eligible for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) in India and international exams like the USMLE - opening doors to medical careers both at home and CURRICULUM AND GLOBAL EXAM COMPATABILITYFor Indian students, here's a big plus: medical education in the Philippines is entirely in English. This eliminates language barriers and allows students to focus on academics. The American-style MD programme aligns with global standards and licencing exams like FMGE and USMLE. This structure ensures Indian students are well-prepared to practice medicine in India, the US, or CLINICAL EXPOSURE AND PRACTICAL TRAININGUnlike countries where clinical exposure is delayed, the Philippines emphasises hands-on training early in the program. Students engage with real patients and healthcare settings from the start. This early exposure builds confidence and strengthens practical skills. The American-model program blends theoretical knowledge with real-world application, preparing students for the demands of modern medicine.-----Another reassuring element: the large Indian student community in the Philippines. With thousands of Indian students already enrolled, new arrivals benefit from built-in support. Peer groups and student associations help ease cultural transitions and offer guidance on everything from academics to everyday life. The presence of Indian societies provides a warm welcome - something reassuring for many students and parents during this major life Indian students continue to explore global opportunities for medical education, the Philippines stands out. It combines visa-free access, affordability, recognised quality, and a strong support network. With its student-friendly policies and international credibility, the Philippines is emerging not just as an alternative, but as a preferred destination for Indian medical Reel
The Star
01-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Is your education helping?
Is one school better than another, or do smart students succeed no matter where they study? One way to see if schools, universities and teachers really make a difference in learning is by measuring the impact of educational institutions using the 'value-added' approach, which looks at how much students improve over time. Instead of only focusing on final grades, it measures progress, giving a clearer picture of how well a school or teacher is performing. 'Value-added' compares what a student is expected to achieve based on their starting point with what they actually achieve by the end of a course or school year. This method focuses on improvement rather than just final scores, showing how much a student has grown academically. Traditional ways of judging schools and teachers rely heavily on test scores. However, these scores can be influenced by factors outside a school's control, like family background and early education. For example, a child from a low-income family may start school with fewer skills, while a child from a wealthier family may have an advantage. Comparing only final test scores can be unfair. The 'value-added' approach looks at progress, recognising the hard work of both students and teachers. It measures how well each child reaches their full potential. A good example of how the 'value-added' approach works in practice comes from medical schools in the United States. Students enter medical school based on their Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores and graduate by passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Schools that accept high-scoring students in the MCAT usually produce high-scoring graduates in the USMLE. However, some schools help students improve beyond expectations, while others underperform. If you were choosing a medical school, you would want one that not only helps students grow, but also 'adds value' to the individual. Here's a look at the benefits of using 'value added' as a measure of educational success: > Focuses on progress Instead of teaching just for test scores, schools and teachers help every student improve, no matter their starting level. This builds academic skills, confidence, and a love of learning. > Fairer for teachers Teachers work with students of different backgrounds and abilities. A great teacher may not always have the highest- scoring students, but they can still help them improve significantly. > Promotes educational fairness Schools in low-income areas are often judged unfairly based on test scores alone. The 'value-added' approach highlights schools that are helping students grow, even in challenging situations. > Helps parents make better choices Parents want the best education for their children. A school may not have the highest overall scores, but if it helps students improve a lot, it could be a great choice. > Guides policy decisions Education leaders can use the 'value-added' approach to decide where to invest resources. Schools that help students make big improvements can serve as models, while struggling schools can receive extra support. Focusing on the 'value-added' approach benefits society as well. It encourages effort and resilience – qualities that are valuable in education and the workplace. Employers appreciate candidates who have shown steady growth and the ability to overcome challenges. Of course, no single measure can fully capture the impact of education. Some critics argue that 'value-added' oversimplifies learning. However, when used alongside other methods, it provides valuable insight into student progress. It reminds us that education is not just about where students end up but also how far they have come. 'Value-added' offers a fair and meaningful way to measure the impact of schools and teachers. By focusing on student growth, it provides a clearer picture of success than traditional test scores. It recognises great teaching, encourages improvement, and helps address educational inequalities. In a world where every student's potential matters, 'value-added' is not just a trend – it is an important step towards a better and more supportive education system for all. Prof Dr David Whitford is vice-chancellor and chief executive of University of Cyberjaya. He earned a doctorate from Cambridge University and has held leadership roles in medical education. With over 70 research publications on disadvantaged communities and quality healthcare delivery, his academic journey includes positions at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Dublin and in Bahrain, where he established community-based teaching and led postgraduate studies. The views expressed here are the writer's own.
Free Malaysia Today
16-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Court orders dispute between AIMST, education provider to go to trial
Court of Appeal judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah said several key factual and legal disputes could only be properly determined through evidence from witnesses. PUTRAJAYA : The Court of Appeal has ordered a contractual dispute between MIC-linked AIMST University and education service provider Nugrahan Sdn Bhd to go to trial. Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah said the High Court had erred in concluding that there were no triable issues. 'Several key factual and legal disputes can only be properly determined through evidence from witnesses, and the matter ought to be ventilated through a full trial,' he said in allowing AIMST's appeal to set aside the summary judgment. The panel, which included Justices P Ravinthran and Alwi Abdul Wahab, also ordered the case to be heard before a new judge. The dispute stems from a July 2021 agreement in which Nugrahan was to provide United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) preparation programmes for AIMST's medical students. Nugrahan alleges AIMST agreed to purchase the Step 1 and Step 2 programmes but later terminated the contract without justification. AIMST, however, claims it was misled into signing the agreement. The university says it was assured the USMLE Step 1 exam would continue using numerical scores, which are crucial for US medical residency placements. It later discovered the scoring system had shifted to pass/fail, significantly reducing the programme's value and suitability for its students. AIMST is also counterclaiming for over RM2.9 million in losses, arguing the contract is voidable due to misrepresentation. Counsel R Rishikessingam appeared for AIMST, while Vinayak Sri Ram and Chew Thean Ern represented Nugrahan.
Medscape
12-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Prep for the USMLE Starting on Day One of Med School
This transcript has been edited for clarity. The best students start studying for the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) exams on day one of medical school. This is not studying for one block at a time but keeping up with everything that you've learned so far. At the end of the day, the goal isn't just passing the test at the end of a block; it's setting yourself up for the big examthat covers everything. The key to doing this is spaced repetition. Instead of studying something once and forgetting about it after you turn the test in, like what most of us probably did in college, you review it in increasingly spaced intervals over time. The best tool for this is an app called Anki. It's a flashcard system built for spaced repetition, and it's what the highest-scoring medical students swear by. Credit Lead image: Medscape. LLC Medscape © 2025 WebMD, LLC Cite this: Prep for the USMLE Starting on Day One of Med School - Medscape - May 12, 2025.
