Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) - uOttawa Medical Program and Summer School

The SJTUSM-uOttawa Medical Program is a unique collaboration that bloomed from the longstanding partnership between the University of Ottawa and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM). This innovative program introduces the first-ever North American medical program in China, giving SJTUSM medical students the opportunity to study under the uOttawa medical curriculum. The program enhances student experience while advancing international research collaborations between our institutions, bridging continents and cultures.

Since the program was established in 2014, 82 students have been admitted into the SJTUSM-uOttawa Medical Program.

The SJTUSM-uOttawa Summer School offers SJTUSM students an exciting opportunity to travel to Ottawa, discover Canadian culture and experience an immersive educational experience. This comprehensive program, organized by the IGHO, is implemented in collaboration with departments across the University. The one-month program is comprised of an ESL course, a humanities elective, community service-learning placements, as well as exposure to the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine through visits to the uOttawa Skills and Simulation Centre and customized anatomy lectures and labs. Cultural activities are planned for Chinese students to immerse themselves in Canadian culture, allowing them to make new connections and practice their English skills.

Since the program was established in 2015, 268 students have participated in the summer school.

Kuwait Mentoring Program

The Kuwait Mentoring Program (KMP) is offered through a partnership between the University of Ottawa, the Ministry of Higher Education of Kuwait and the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Ottawa, Canada. The KMP offers Kuwaiti students a unique opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Science, with the aim of gaining admission to a Canadian medical school or a graduate studies program at the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine.

The IGHO supports students as they progress through their undergraduate science degree and choose an academic and career path by providing focused workshops, academic advising and student mentoring. Through this guidance, the IGHO equips learners with the strategies and insights needed to craft a compelling extracurricular profile, setting learners apart as top contenders for medical school or graduate studies. We also provide diverse educational pathways as they progress through their Bachelor of Science program, giving learners the flexibility to tailor their academic journey to their unique goals and interests.

The Kuwait Mentoring Program welcomes approximately 20 new students into every year since it was established in 2019.

Medicine and the Humanities International Program

The Medicine in the Humanities International Program is a summer school designed to foster interdisciplinary learning and cultivate essential skills such as critical thinking, empathy, and professionalism. It provides opportunities for exploring the current and historical intersections of medicine, art, literature, philosophy, and human sciences across various cultures and languages. Learners and faculty together study the humanities and social sciences to better understand what shapes society, culture and the practice of medicine.  Open to learners and faculty from partnering institutions in Shanghai, Lyon, and Ottawa, MHIP offers a week-long immersive experience, typically held in July.

Each year, the program is hosted by a different partner institution in their country, with the 2019 and the 2024 edition taking place here at the University of Ottawa. Each edition focuses on a different theme, with the 2024 edition following the theme of Progress in Medicine. Previous themes have included topics such as Current Ethical Challenges in Education and Healthcare, Art and Health, and Health in a Post-Covid World.

Watch this bilingual 38-minute documentary (YouTube link) on the 2020 MHIP Summer School to learn more.

Medical Leadership Training Program

The International Medical Leadership Training Program was created on a bilateral agreement between the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine and Université Claude Bernard Lyon (UCBL), France. This training program enhances the knowledge and skills of clinical professionals in management and health management, empowering them to strategically manage an institution, a discipline, department, or service. The program was designed specifically for UCBL teachers and delivered by leadership experts at the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine. The program trains physicians in the fundamentals of organizational management and focuses on honing key skills necessary to lead in an ever-changing health care environment.

Participants travel to Ottawa for the initial week-long, in-person training, and virtual follow-up sessions are offered throughout the year. The first group of 10 international clinical experts from Lyon participated in the program in July 2019. This unique experience allowed them to learn the North American approach to leadership and develop new camaraderie with their Canadian colleagues. Attendees gained valuable insight from sharing their methods, revealing that both groups experienced similar challenges in leading and developing their teams.

Building on the success of the program, the International Medical Leadership Training Program has recently been offered to additional international partners and continues to grow its reach.

Since the program was launched in 2019,  over 40 professionals from around the world have participated in this in-person training.

Enhancement Year Program

The uOttawa Faculty of Medicine Enhancement Year program was launched in 2023 as part of the partnership between the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine and Khalifa University of Medicine and Health Sciences. This comprehensive and innovative program prepares recent medical graduates for success in North American residency programs, with learners travelling from the UAE to Ottawa to participate. The program is offered at a post-graduate level and provides a comprehensive learning opportunity spanning 12 months. The curriculum includes clinical observerships, research, and a Community Service Learning (CSL) placement. Leaners receive continuous career mentorship and residency interview coaching.

At this time, only graduates of the Khalifa University Undergraduate Medical Education Program are eligible to participate.