International success in medical education

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Faculty of Medicine, which brings qualified young physicians to our country with its innovative, student-centered and technology-based education program, has proven its success internationally. The UK-based Times Higher Education (THE), one of the world's most respected ranking organizations, selected IUE as one of the 8 best educational institutions in Asia in the category of ‘Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year’ with the unique curriculum of the Faculty of Medicine. As the only university from Turkey to make the list in this category, IUE qualified for the finals of THE Awards Asia, which is known as the ‘Oscar of higher education’. IUE aims to reach the top by reaching the first place in the final to be held in Malaysia on April 29, 2024.

IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu stated that they have achieved many innovations in medical education that will be a model for other universities and that they have achieved this success as a result of a long-term and planned work.

WE BROKE NEW GROUNDS

Prof. Dr. Abacıoğlu said, “We established IUE Faculty of Medicine about 7 years ago in order to contribute to the development of our country in the field of health. While creating a high-level academic staff and technological infrastructure, we decided to look at medical education with a special vision and content out of the ordinary. In this direction, we broke new ground in our country and added courses such as planetary health, lifestyle medicine, research-information management, clinical reasoning to the curriculum. We wanted to emphasize the effects of environmental factors and lifestyle behaviors on human health. We have also taken many steps for students to adopt lifelong learning. All of this has not only brought our faculty to the forefront, but also brought it to a respected position in the international arena. We are very happy to see that we are doing the right things and that we are recognized by independent international authorities. I would like to thank the esteemed faculty members who have contributed greatly to this success and my colleguaes with whom I am proud to work.”

HOPE FOR HUMANITY

Stating that they are proud to be among the best faculties in Turkey in a short time, Prof. Dr. İlgi Şemin, Dean of IUE Faculty of Medicine said, “We see every young person we train in our faculty as a leader who will be a hope for humanity with their knowledge and skills. We shape our student-centered education with this perspective. The increasing epidemics and new diseases emerging around the world show us that our responsibility is great. The way to raise successful physicians, who are knowledgeable, self-confident, able to access and use the right information, know today's health needs, have a holistic view of human beings, and have professional and ethical values, is to determine a correct and original curriculum. I am proud to say that as Izmir University of Economics Faculty of Medicine, we have proven that we are unique at this point. We have extended the boundaries of our success beyond our country. We will continue to work with the same discipline, responsibility and always aiming to do better, and we will continue to stand by our students as always.”