On May 23, 2019 an International Association for Medical Education (AMEE) International Networking Center in Georgia will be founded at Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU). It is one of the most important events on the way to integration to European Higher Education Area and the second opportunity for Georgia to become a Regional International Hub in Medical Education. The first recognition of Georgian Medical Education was initiated in November 2018, when the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement of Georgia was granted with a status of Accreditation Agency by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).
The Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) is a worldwide organization with members in 90 countries on five continents. The organization was established in 1972 in Great Britain and includes teachers, educators, researchers, administrators, curriculum developers, deans, assessors, students and trainees in medicine and the healthcare education. AMEE elaborates standards and guidelines in medical education, publishes medical journals and books, and organizes annual conferences, master classes and symposiums about the innovative teaching methods in medical education. AMEE has already established two Regional Networking Centers around the world, and the third center in the South-East Europe will be founded at TSMU.
Tbilisi State Medical University is internationally recognized, successful Higher Education Institution oriented to implementation of modern teaching and learning methods in medical education. From 2000 TSMU actively cooperates with AMEE in the field of development new approaches to curriculum planning and teaching methods, publishing joint research articles and participation in annual conferences and workshops. TSMU was also a member of MEDINE-Thematic Network aimed to harmonize medical education with Bologna Process, implemented one of the most successful TEMPUS projects, “Modernizing Undergraduate Medical Education in EU Eastern Neighboring Area” (MUMEENA), developed innovative medical educational model in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine.
Establishment of AMEE International Networking Center at TSMU will enhance partnership with the world leaders in medical education and widen international recognition of TSMU where nearly 2300 international students study from 68 countries. The main goal of the AMEE International Networking Center in Georgia is sharing modern methodologies in medical education and delivering professional trainings to academic and administrative staff and medical experts. AMEE ESME (Essential Skills in Medical Education) is the first, up-coming, five-days training course. The training will be led by Professor Trevor Gibbs, AMEE Committee Member and WFME Consultant in Medical Education. After completion four ESME full-time courses, participants will be awarded with Internationally Recognized Certificate of Specialist in Medical Education. Training courses in Assessment Methods, Clinical Teaching, Simulation-based Healthcare Instructions, Educational Leadership and Management will be organized in the nearest future. Journal “Medical Teacher” will be published in Georgian language.