All systems go for off-shore medical school -opening set for January 10 By Desiree Jodah Stabroek News December 18, 1999 Officials of the off-shore medical school whose opening has been twice pushed back, have now assured that classes will definitely start on January 10. The American International School of Medicine (AISM) had proposed establishing the school in June this year. However, the opening had been delayed twice for what President of the school, Colin Wilkinson described as "normal procedures." He said the school, following discussions with Minister of Health, Dr Henry Jeffrey, has cleared all official hurdles, including approval of the institution's charter. In October, Cabinet finally approved the school after obtaining the security deposit for the US$700,000 bond as well as other guarantees. AISM has also promised to establish a US$5 million liability policy for the coverage of the school and all its principals when classes commence in January. At a press conference held at the Woodbine Hotel on Thursday, Wilkinson told reporters that 25 students from the US and the United Kingdom are expected to start the semester in January. Wilkinson disclosed that 17 Guyanese had applied and three were accepted. Of the three, one has qualified for a scholarship. Foreign students would pay a fee of about US$3,500 per year, while the Guyanese would pay about half that amount. The school would be established at 301 Church Street, the building which formerly housed the VCT studio. According to Wilkinson, the initial start-up cost is over US$5 million which is more than was first envisaged. The school's programme would be a US medical one with the intention of training US and other international students and Guyanese to become eligible to practise medicine in the US, Guyana and elsewhere. Admission requirements for the medical programme are the successful completion of a bachelor's degree and all pre-medical courses. The programme would be of four years duration and the basic medical sciences would be taught during the first two years which would be divided into five semesters. The third and fourth years would encompass clinical training at hospitals in Guyana, the USA, Mexico and England. Dean of Academics, Dr Ovid Issacs told reporters that lecturers would come from England and the US. There will also be visiting and guest lecturers. Dr Hazel Thomas who shared the press conference said the country would benefit from several research programmes. Guyana, according to the officials would also benefit from the influx of foreign currency. Former Guyana Defence Force member Neville Dundas who was present at the press conference is the director of security and would be responsible for the safety of the foreign and local students. Within two years, the school hopes to establish a campus. A number of areas are being looked, said Issacs. Also at the press conference was Winifred Austin, assistant dean of admissions. A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples