Post-graduate studies centers and departments in various universities play a crucial role in creating a suitable scientific environment for graduate students. This environment helps to enhance their knowledge and qualify them for higher degrees in their fields of specialization. In doing so, universities achieve one of their goals of advancing the academic level and providing distinguished scientific preparation for their professors and students.
About the Post-Graduate Studies Center:
Recognizing their responsibility towards their community and nation, officials in the College of Medicine in Abha initiated the establishment of a center for post-graduate studies under its supervision in 1410 AH. The center began with modest resources and relied on self-efforts and joint cooperation by faculty members of the college. It established graduate programs in the specialties of internal medicine, pediatrics, and general surgery in the same year, and successively established other programs until the total number reached eight accredited programs in the following specialties:
- Internal Medicine
- General Surgery
- Pediatrics
- Orthopedics
- Urology
- Dermatology and venereology
- Family and Community Medicine (Joint Program)
- Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery
Postgraduate studies have become increasingly important, and there is a growing demand to join them. These programs provide the necessary training for doctors and prepare them to obtain a fellowship certificate in their specialty without incurring the burdens of alienation and the associated costs, whether at the state level or for individuals who seek scholarships outside the Kingdom.
Graduate Programs
The table below shows the post-graduate programs supervised by the Center, their establishment date, and their absorptive capacity:
|
M |
Program Name |
Date of creation |
Duration |
Capacity |
|
1 |
Internal Medicine |
1411H |
4 Years |
24 |
|
2 |
Pediatrics |
1412H |
4 Years |
24 |
|
3 |
Family and Community Medicine (Joint Program) |
1412H |
4 Years |
24 |
|
4 |
General Surgery |
1412H |
4 Years |
24 |
|
5 |
Orthopedic surgery |
1415H |
5 Years |
10 |
|
6 |
Dermatology and venereal |
1416H |
4Years |
8 |
|
7 |
Urology |
1416H |
5 Years |
10 |
|
8 |
Ear, nose and throat surgery |
1420H |
5 Years |
10 |
Most programs began in 1411 AH under the Arab fellowship system. By 1415 AH, the Saudi fellowship was included, and graduate students can obtain both Arab and Saudi fellowships in available programs.
Continuing medical education has emerged as an important field for increasing knowledge and access to the latest science in the medical field. It has become a necessity for practicing doctors, as the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties requires a specific number of hours of medical education before renewing a professional practice permit for doctors and others practicing health work.
Since then, the Center has been striving to achieve its objectives and perform its duties at all levels. Executive boards for graduate studies and continuing medical education were formed separately. During the 2004/2005 and 2003/2004 academic years, more than 45 seminars, panel discussions, and continuing medical education courses were held in all branches of medicine. With an average attendance of 50 to over 100 doctors at a time, these activities are crucial in raising the competencies and practices of doctors in the region.