Solutions Magazine, Spring 2006 - Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas

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	A New Medical School for Botswana by Jessica Johns Pool Photography by Smiley N. Pool The partnership is the first of its kind in southern Africa. On Nov. 30, Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Botswana (UB) signed a memorandum of agreement for BCM to provide technical expertise and academic support as the University of Botswana builds its first medical school. Present for the signing were Peter G. Traber, M.D., BCM president and CEO, and Bojosi Otlhogile, Ph.D., vice chancellor of the University of Botswana. "There are no more important elements for society than education and health care, so I applaud the government of Botswana and the University of Botswana for making the commitment to build a medical school," said Traber. "With education and health care readily available to its citizens, there's nothing that Botswana can't do." Though still in its early stages, the agreement provides a framework for Baylor to provide the University of Botswana, located in the capital city of Gaborone, with consultation in such areas as medical curriculum and faculty development. "As we are starting our medical school, it is a great opportunity for us to collaborate with an established college such as Baylor College of Medicine," said Otlhogile. "We look forward to this relationship." Botswana, a country located just north of South Africa, currently has a pre-med educational program for approximately 60 undergraduate students but no medical school. Pre-med students must go outside the country to attend medical school or receive residency training. With HIV/AIDS ravaging its population, a medical school that provides more doctors who stay in the country is critical. The University of Botswana educates approximately 15,000 students per year, with 800 academic staff and 1,400 support staff. Nearly 1,650 bachelors and 200 post-graduate degrees are awarded each year. Botswana and Baylor College of Medicine also collaborate on the Botswana-Baylor Children's Clinical Center of Excellence, which is located in the capital city of Gaborone, not far from the university. Opened in June 2003, the Center of Excellence is now the largest pediatric HIV clinic in the world, administering highly active antiretroviral therapy to more than 1,400 children. The Center is headed by Gabriel Anabwani, M.D., a BCM clinical professor of pediatrics. Also participating in the signing ceremony were Mark Kline, M.D., professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, chief of retrovirology at Texas Children's Hospital and president, Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative; Frank Youngman, Ph.D., deputy vice chancellor for academic affairs, the University of Botswana; and Burton Mguni, Ph.D., deputy vice chancellor for student affairs, the University of Botswana.		Search all issues: Patient Care The Tiny Faces of AIDS A New Medical School for Botswana A Kingdom with Hope Research Stars and Workhorses: A Varied Future for Stem Cells Just a Gut Reaction Unfolding the Tiniest Problems A Higher Calling Education BCM's Own Mr. Wizard A 'Marriage' with Medicine Community Service Glasses for the Homeless Going Beyond the Borders Alumni & Development From Center to Center The Story Behind the Jewish Building From a One-Room School to Medical Research College News The Bards of Baylor A World of Difference

	Volume 2, Issue 1, Spring 2006



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Last modified: March 30, 2006