The four delegates from Antigua and Barbuda have successfully completed the OXCEP Academic Medicine Course 2024, after two weeks of highly intensive training at the St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford. Joining 31 other doctors from around the world plus 5 DPhil students in Clinical Medicine from the University, Drs. Jodi-Ann Haughton, Jonathan McComie, Adrian Rhudd and Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis, were exposed to and able to optimize their knowledge base through sessions that covered inter alia cutting edged cancer research, big data analysis, the human genomics study, leadership and advances in neuroscience, the application of artificial intelligence in medical science, and thoracic disease in research. The lectures were delivered by 26 leading researchers and senior academics of the University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division in the respective fields.
The Antiguan doctors were also able to network with some of the world’s most creative minds who were among the fellow attendees of the Course. They are now charged with translating the knowledge gained into practical mechanisms for transforming the local healthcare system in Antigua and Barbuda.
The Honourable Minister of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation and the Environment, Sir Molwyn Joseph, was a VIP guest of OXCEP and St Edmund Hall, for the last three days of the Course.
Sir Molwyn, accompanied by High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill, attended two of the final lectures as well as held meetings with OXCEP Chairman Dr Frank Hwang and Principal of St Edmund Hall and Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Oxford Professor Baroness Willis CBE. Sir Molwyn also met with Pro-Vice Chancellor for Innovation at the University of Oxford Professor Chas Bountra OBE. In addition, Sir Molwyn delivered the keynote speech at the farewell dinner of the Course.
Speaking of his visit, Sir Molwyn stated: “The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is grateful to collaborate with such a prestigious University such as Oxford so that Antiguans and Barbudans can benefit from knowledge-based sessions on cutting edge cancer research, data analysis, Neuroscience and other very important areas in the field of medicine.” He also commended High Commissioner Hill, herself an alumna of the University of Oxford, for facilitating this academic exchange which will see nearly 30 senior doctors attend the academic medicine and management in healthcare courses at the University of Oxford under full scholarships.
Dr Frank Hwang stated, “The performance of the MAAB delegates was marvellous, and Sir Molwyn’s keynote speech regarded by many at Oxford as second to none. Sir Molwyn’s highly successful Oxford visit during the OXCEP Academic Medicine Course 2024 reassured us of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda’s full support of the OXCEP Caribbean Initiative, and thus facilitated further OXCEP scholarship / fellowship opportunities in Artificial Intelligence, Global Healthcare Leadership, and Environmental Protection for academics and professionals of the Country in the near future.”
It is anticipated that through continued collaboration, Antigua and Barbuda will be in a better position to mitigate the Global threats to health and other developments. This is the first cohort from Antigua and Barbuda to be enrolled in a significantly challenging further study at Oxford under the OXCEP Caribbean Initiative. It is expected that over the future years to come, an increasing number of academics and professionals will be able to benefit from this unique opportunity.
