Edwin Ashimwe<\/b><\/p>\n
Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>When Iman Osman Abufatima Adam joined the University of Medical Sciences and Technologies (UMST) in Khartoum, Sudan, she had a dream of becoming one of the most successful doctors, a profession that she sees as embodying service and intellect, and one that is driven by commitment to alleviate human suffering.<\/p>\n For the 23 year old, the desire to become a doctor is not merely an aspiration but a mission she sees for herself.<\/p>\n Medicine, Adam points out, is the perfect intersection of science, service, and personal interaction, adding that it also offers an opportunity to directly impact lives, providing a sense of fulfillment that few careers can match.<\/p>\n The former students at the University of Medical Sciences and Technology in Khartoum, Sudan, are in Rwanda to continue their medical studies in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences following the ongoing conflicts<\/p>\n But for her and colleagues at the University, life took a bumpy turn when an armed conflict ravaged the country.<\/p>\n \u201cI used to study at UMST, due to the tragic war we were transferred to Rwanda to complete our studies,\u201d Adam told The New Times on Wednesday, August 2.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were very welcome in the country. The weather is amazing, the people are really nice, we were very excited to see different tourist areas, the welcome was beyond our expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n She added, \u201cComing to Rwanda means a lot, it gives us an opportunity to continue our education, and allows us to graduate.I have high expectations, i think i will enjoy the journey, I hope we could finish very well and graduate as doctors.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam is part of a group of over 160 Sudanese students who are set to be trained in Rwanda starting this month.<\/p>\n The group has been stranded and unable to complete their studies owing to the current security crisis in the country.<\/p>\n Lojain Dafaalah Mohamed Alkhair knows what it feels like. She was in her fourth year when the security crisis began.<\/p>\n A few months later she was forced to flee to Egypt before being transferred to Rwanda to complete her studies.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had the pleasure to come here to Kigali to finish our studies, especially the training. We are more than happy to be here, honestly just because of the war we had to leave our country and find greener pasture.\u201d<\/p>\n She added, \u201cI have been in the country for the past six days. I have high expectations as we look to begin the training. I want to start knowing more about patients, and the medicines. But I already like the people so much and the weather.\u201d<\/p>\n Brotherly gesture<\/b><\/p>\n Rwanda\u2019s gesture to accommodate students from Sudan that will be able to complete their studies is a fresh impetus and \u201cbrotherly gesture,\u201d according to Prof. Mamoun Homeida, Chairman Board of Trustees at UMST, Khartoum.<\/p>\n \u201cWe chose here for many reasons. This is a cornerstone in the history of both institutions and it is also a brotherly gesture.\u201d<\/p>\n For the veteran lecture, the group of students consists of \u201cmore than a hundred potential doctors.\u201d<\/p>\n Students from University of Medical Sciences and Technology in Sudan during the event to welcome them in Kigali.<\/p>\n \u201cEducation, like any type of aid, is very important and should be prioritized.\u201d<\/p>\n For Homeida, Rwanda has a good name not only in Africa but beyond.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has shown the world that they can heal the wounds. And this is what people like those in Sudan need. We are also bringing teachers, not only in the clinical, but also in the basic sciences. I talked to the management of the University of Rwanda, and these teachers of high caliber who are not currently working in Sudan have a chance to volunteer here.\u201d<\/p>\n It all boils down to the trust both for the University and the country, according to UR Vice Chancellor Didace Kayihura Muganga.<\/p>\n University of Rwanda Vice Chancellor Didace Kayihura Muganga delivers his welcoming remarks during the event.<\/p>\n \u201cFor them to have come to us, requesting for that support, shows the trust our African brothers and sisters have in us. When they came to negotiate this arrangement, they had to assess and move around our teaching hospitals, our laboratories, the dentistry department and the results were positive indicating a certain standard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat gives us confidence. Having students from the best universities in Khartoum wanting to join us and have our lecturers evaluate them is a vote of confidence for us. We will be training them in the requisite standards.\u201d<\/p>\n Some of the 160 students from Sudan chat at a reception held to welcome them to Rwanda, on Wednesday, August 2. The students from the University of Medical Sciences and Technology in Khartoum who had been stranded and unable to complete their studies owing to the current security crisis in Sudan are in Rwanda to continue their studies at the University of Rwanda (UR) – School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Photos by Olivier Mugwiza<\/p>\n edwin@newtimesrwanda.com<\/p>\n