Few days ago, the Institut Superieur Pedagogique de Gitwe has appointed Dr. Djordje Gikic of the new Dean of the ISPG’ newly opened Medicine school. Dr. Djordje Gikic just joined the school with a very rich background and wonderful aims and objectives.
During his introduction to the students, Dr. Gikic had an interview with students:
Student: Could you please tell us what brought you here?
Dr Gikic: This is a long story, but I first came to Rwanda at the end of 2009 and met with Hon. Minister Dr Agnes Binagwaho, then Permanent Secretary. I was truly impressed by how the country was progressing and the dynamism that could be felt everywhere.
Over the years I developed a growing respect for the country’s leadership and some of the unique achievements that are truly remarkable in Rwanda, for example the absence of corruption is very impressive.
I first visited Gitwe when working with the Ministries of Health and Education on large Human Resources for Health (HRH) Program and was again very pleasantly surprised by what I saw.
Where, some years ago there was nothing, now stood a hospital, nursing school and today even a new school of Medicine. In addition, the leadership’s dedication and vision could be felt strongly and percolated down throughout the institution.
I just wanted to be part of this all and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to join us as Dean to help materialize this vision.
Just recently, President Kagame underlined the importance of locally-grown initiatives to drive development and progress.
I am totally convinced this is the right way to go. This is why I joined ISPG and I strongly believe it will lead to lasting and sustainable change.
Student: As the new Dean, what do you expect from us?
Dr Gikic: I would see the question being more relevant the other way around: what do you expect from your Dean? I am here to serve you and I hope that the main value I can help you develop as you go through medical school is the notion of service.
Being a doctor is not like any other job, I am convinced it should not be. Most of the patients you will be taking care of will be poor and less educated.
I really hope that you develop a high sense of rigor, discipline and service that will guide you for the rest of your life.
That being said, I can be quite demanding. I will always set high expectations to make sure you give your best in everything you do.
I expect you to want to get the most out of this education and to voice it up when you think you are not getting it. If you don’t voice it up, nobody else will and you will not get what you need out of this degree.
Student: What is the main thing on your mind right now as you are speaking to us?
Dr Gikic: I am feeling very honored and blessed to be among you. To be able to be part of this vision is really an incredible adventure. Thank you for welcoming me here as your Dean.
Student: What are your priorities?
Dr Gikic: I absolutely want to make this school into one of the best schools in the region. For this, quality of education provided here must be our utmost priority as we establish the basis over the coming months.
Of course, there are standards for schools but I think we should aim higher.
We should aim for excellence in medical education. As part of that, I want to ensure you get the best possible setting for learning.
This includes having exceptional hands on teaching in small groups by qualified professors, in well-equipped teaching hospitals. Working together with the government to ensure this becomes a reality will be a top priority.
Student: How will you achieve your vision?
Dr Gikic: I think partnerships will have an utmost importance in being able to build a strong school. We cannot do this on our own, nor should we.
There are institutions in other countries that have a very long institutional history and have mastered the art of medicine, or rather teaching it.
We should leverage that and learn from the best. We already have advanced discussions with some of the best universities in the US.
Also I think the government needs to be a very close partner and we should work together with the Ministries of Health and Education as well as the University of Rwanda.
We should collaborate as much as possible and align most of our process to ensure a unified system across the country.
Student: How long will you stay?
Dr Gikic: This will depend on you…if you think I am not doing a good job, then I will probably not stay around that long (laughs). More seriously, I don’t have any specific plans at this point.
I have been asked to set this school on the right tracks over the coming months and that’s what I intend to do. For the rest we will see in due course.
Dr Gikic is also currently consulting for Johns Hopkins University and was until recently the Country Director of the Clinton Health Access Initiative (formerly Clinton Foundation) in Rwanda.
He has been in Rwanda for four years already and has worked closely with the Ministries of health and education to design and launch the large Human Resources for Health Program to train Rwandan doctors through a partnership with several top US Universities.
He also worked for the top tier management consulting firm McKinsey and Company for several years and also consulted for the World Bank and the Pan American Health Organization.
Now, ISPG is in partnership with Stanford University from United States of American as to academically share knowledge, libraries and e-distance learning with ISPG medical school.
Photos: Damyxon
Jean Damascene NTIHINYUZWA.
