So far, friends and sponsors have donated three million euros to the European Medical School Oldenburg-Groningen (EMS) project. The university has now thanked them with an event. The EMS will start on 1 October this year.
"Without the broad support of leading business representatives from the city and region, the founding of the European Medical School Oldenburg-Groningen would not have been possible". With these words, University President Prof Dr Babette Simon thanked the friends and sponsors of the EMS.
Simon emphasised that it was not only the material support that was important, but also the idealistic and extremely constructive support on the challenging path to establishing a university medical school. "We have been able to experience a unique solidarity - whether at a local political or association political level, whether among the parties, companies or people in the region: the EMS is supported in the north-west by a wave of undivided approval and enthusiasm, which is also expressed not least in a great willingness to donate."
Sponsors from the city and region are supporting the joint German-Dutch project with almost three million euros. Simon emphasised that this sum is a necessary addition to the 57.5 million euros that will flow into the project from the state of Lower Saxony until 2015.
Panel discussion "New paths in medical training"
Around 150 guests accepted the university's invitation to an event at which the President expressed her special thanks to the sponsors and honoured them with a sculpture. This was produced in the university's own mechanical workshops based on a design by the Oldenburg design agency Granny&Smith. Among the guests was the State Secretary in the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science, Dr Josef Lange. "The wide-ranging support from the region was also always noticeable in Hanover. It has made a significant contribution to the realisation of this innovative project, which is very important not only for the region, together with the University of Groningen. The EMS opens up further great prospects for the University of Oldenburg," said Lange.
In addition to honouring the sponsors, the programme also included a panel discussion. State Secretary Dr Josef Lange; the founding Dean of the School of Medicine, Prof Dr Eckhart Hahn; Prof Dr Jan Kuks from the University Medical Center Groningen; the Chair of the EMS Founding Committee, Prof Dr Eberhart Zrenner and Eske Gertje, a medical student at the University of Groningen, discussed "New paths in medical education". The discussion was moderated by Holger Ahäuser, Studio Manager of NDR Oldenburg.
The European Medical School Oldenburg-Groningen (EMS)
Following the approval of the model degree programme "Human Medicine" at the University of Oldenburg in cooperation with the University of Groningen by the state, the EMS will start on 1 October this year. 40 students will then have the opportunity to begin a cross-border medical degree programme at the two universities that is patient-oriented and interdisciplinary from day one. Problem-orientated learning with mentors, intensive communication training and a consistent focus on research will combine new, innovative approaches in medical training. Students deepen their knowledge through clinical training with Oldenburg's partner hospitals and internships in general medical practices. The programme concludes in Oldenburg with the State Examination.
European Medical School includes the founding of a medical School
Students complete part of their training in Groningen. This gives them an in-depth insight into another European healthcare system, where they can also obtain internationally recognised Bachelor's and Master's degrees. The Bachelor's degree qualifies students to take up employment in medical-related fields; the Master's degree in "Geneeskunde" (medicine) gives them a licence to practise medicine under European law.
The European Medical School also includes the founding of a School of Medicine in Oldenburg and the establishment of university clinics. These are to be developed together with the Oldenburg Clinical Centre, the Evangelical Hospital and the Pius Hospital, as well as with the involvement of the Karl Jaspers Clinic.
The following institutions and personalities were honoured for their support of the European Medical School Oldenburg-Groningen:
- Arbeitgeberverband Oldenburg e.V., Wirtschaftliche Vereinigung Oldenburg - DER KLEINE KREIS e.V. and Stiftung der Metallindustrie im NordwestenArbeitsgemeinschaft der Volksbanken und Raiffeisenbanken in Weser-Ems (AGVR)
- Bremer Landesbank (BLB)
- Landessparkasse zu Oldenburg (LzO)
- Oldenburgische Landesbank AG (OLB)
- CEWE COLOR AG & Co. OHG
- Nordwest-Zeitung
- Vierol AG
- Doris and Peter Waskönig
University President Simon also honoured the board of the "Friends and Supporters of Northwestern University Medicine" association, chaired by Dr Gerd Pommer, with the award of a sculpture.
