"The European Medical School is a very innovative project that guarantees students both medical and intercultural expertise. As a convinced European, I am of course particularly pleased with the cross-border character of the education and research." These were the words of David McAllister, Member of the European Parliament and former Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, on the occasion of his visit to the School V - School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
McAllister found out about the European Medical School Oldenburg-Groningen (EMS) model degree programme in Human Medicine, which is unique in Europe, as well as the School's research activities, for example in the Department of Health Services Research or in hearing research with the Hearing4all cluster of excellence. Finally, the state chairman of the CDU in Lower Saxony visited the laboratories of the Human Genetics working group.
McAllister also emphasised the importance for the region. The EMS had closed the last major gap in medical training in western Germany.
"Just over three years after it was founded, our School of Medicine has already achieved a great deal," said University President Prof Dr Dr Hans Michael Piper. "The cross-border medical degree programme at the EMS has proven its worth and could prove to be a model for the future of medical training in Europe."
"Our aim is to provide our students with a broad range of skills and to train them as practically as possible. We will continue to pursue this concept consistently," added Prof Dr Gregor Theilmeier, Dean of School V - School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
School VI at the University of Oldenburg was founded in summer 2012, making it the first new medical school to be established in Germany for more than 20 years. It consists of the Departments of Neuroscience, Psychology, Medical Physics and Acoustics, Health Services Research and Human Medicine. Together with the Evangelical Hospital, the Clinical Centre and Pius Hospital Oldenburg and the Karl Jaspers Clinic in Bad Zwischenahn, the School forms the University of Oldenburg Medical Campus.
In its model degree programme in human medicine - a German-Dutch co-operation project - everyday study life is characterised by a strong practical focus and research-oriented learning. Oldenburg students spend at least one year of their six-year programme in Groningen. Conversely, fellow students from Groningen take the opportunity to spend a year studying in Oldenburg - giving future doctors from both universities a profound insight into another European healthcare system. The degree programme concludes with the State Examination.