Promotion of international relations by a short-term program for international students

Abstract

Background: The center for international relations was established in 2007 and it has organized a program for accepting international students for short periods since 2009 to enhance internationalization at the medical school.

Methods: The number of inbound and outbound students, and the number of overseas medical schools with an Academic Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding with our institution from 2008 to 2013 were counted, and the relevant achievements were evaluated.

Results: The number of inbound students increased from 0 in 2008 to 14 in 2013, and the number of outbound students also increased from 1 in 2008 to 12 in 2013. The number of overseas medical schools with an Academic Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding also increased from 1 to 3. The number of scholarship applications to go overseas also increased from 2 to 12.

Discussion: Organizing a well-established program for inbound students probably contributed to developing the international environment within the school for both inbound and outbound students, and to enhancing discussion of student exchange with potential partner universities. The center for international relations has functioned as a hub for the students and relevant departments by centralizing information, which has markedly communication improved.