Dr Kulsoom Ghias associate professor and chair of the department of biomedical and biological sciences has been appointed as Chair-Elect of the Aspire Academy, a multinational organisation that recognises innovation and excellence in medical education. The Medical College communications team had a conversation with Dr Ghias on the new role and what exciting opportunities it brings for her and the University.
What are your reflections on being elected as Chair-Elect of Aspire Academy? Who will you be working with at AKU?
I’m very excited and humbled to be appointed as Chair-Elect of the Aspire Academy. Dr Rukhsana Zuberi, the Noor Mohammad E. Mewawalla professor in the department of family medicine and a consultant in the department of educational development, is a co-member of the ASPIRE academy. Together we hope to engage with medical education leaders and innovators across AKU.
Would you elaborate on the ASPIRE Awards that the Medical College won in 2013?
When the Association of Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) initiated the APSIRE-to-Excellence Awards in 2013, the Medical College won in categories of student engagement and assessment. The recognition reflected Medical College’s commitment toward student engagement with the management of curriculum, connection with the academic community and service delivery, among other areas. It also acknowledged the institution for its robust assessment programmes and its role in enhancing medical education globally, whilst improving the health of the population it serves by creating continuous learning opportunities, and having thorough quality control processes.
What is your vision for AKU as part of your role as Chair-Elect? Can you elaborate on the partnership?
I believe AKU is in a great position to be recognised for ASPIRE’s additional areas of excellence such as curriculum development, faculty development, simulation and inspirational approaches to health professions education. It is an opportunity to share our work with other medical education leaders across the world and learn from their practices and experiences. Being part of the ASPIRE Academy means having access to the collective wisdom of leaders and aspiring to maintain excellence across all our educational programmes.
What will your role entail? What activities will you be leading?
I will be working with the Chair, currently Professor Harm Peters from Charité University in Berlin, Germany, for one year and then serve a two-year term followed by one year as past-Chair. I hope to highlight global perspectives and narratives to promote cross-cultural and interdisciplinary advancements in medical education and to further the ASPIRE initiatives, particularly with regards to research.
What does your election mean for medical education development at a national level?
AKU was one of the founding awardees of the ASPIRE-to-Excellence programme. The appointment is a testament to our strengths and we should leverage it for capacity-building within the region.