Call for Application for Postgraduate Masters Degrees in Medicine (MMed) - January 2024

The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Botswana (UB) offers both undergraduate (MBBS) and post-graduate (MMed) degrees.

This announcement invites applications for post-graduate training programmes in the faculty that will begin in January 2024. For more information about UB and its post-graduate programmes please visit the following UB websites: (www.ub.bw) and (www.ubotho.net).

Post-graduate Training Opportunities (4-year MMed)

Anaesthesiology (Princess Marina Hospital)
Anatomical Pathology (National Health Laboratory, South African academic medical laboratories, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya)
Clinical Pathology (Princess Marina Hospital, SKMTH Laboratory, Botswana Harvard HIV Research Laboratory, National Health Laboratory, National TB Laboratory, Bokamoso Private Hospital (Haematology), South African academic medical laboratories, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya)
Diagnostic Radiology (Princess Marina Hospital, SKMTH, Department of Radiology Witwatersrand University [Nuclear Medicine and Paediatrics])
Emergency Medicine (Princess Marina Hospital, University of Cape Town affiliated academic hospitals)
Family Medicine (Hospitals and clinics in Ramotswa, Mochudi, Mahalapye, Maun and Molepolole)
Internal Medicine (Princess Marina Hospital, Stellenbosch University and University of Cape Town affiliated academic hospitals)
Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Princess Marina Hospital)
Paediatrics and Adolescent Health (Princess Marina Hospital, University of Witwatersrand affiliated academic hospitals)
Psychiatry (Princess Marina Hospital, Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital)
Public Health Medicine (Ministry of Health (MOH) and DHMTs around the country)

Post-graduate Training Opportunities (5-year MMed

Surgery (Princess Marina Hospital, University of Botswana affiliated private hospital, Collage of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) hospitals). We anticipate all 60 months of training will occur in Botswana, however up to 12 months may be required at a regional COSECSA affiliated hospital or in South Africa.

MMed Programme

Content

Each programme has three components: course work, examinations and a research-based dissertation. Trainees must successfully complete all these in order to qualify for an award of an MMed degree from UB and for specialist registration with the Botswana Health Professions Council (BHPC).

Requirements

The programmes are open to Botswana citizens as well as to non-citizens. Applicants should have completed medical training at a BHPC recognized medical school and have been in active clinical practice for at least two years by 31st October 2023, at least one of which must have been in an approved internship programme. Evidence of success completion of Part I (primary) examinations of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) prior to beginning studies, is preferred.

Transfers

Any Motswana who started postgraduate training elsewhere and for whatever reason has not been able to complete the programme and still wants to pursue their studies, may be eligible to transfer into these UB programmes on a case-by-case basis.

The Positions

MMed training will occur full-time at MOH facilities; some programs may also train at private clinical sites. All programmes except Family Medicine, Public Health Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Psychiatry will involve rotations in South Africa. For other programmes, applicants should anticipate for at least 6 months (Clinical Pathology, Diagnostic Radiology), 12 months (Paediatrics, Surgery) and/or at least 24 months (Anaesthesiology, Anatomical Pathology, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine).

Financial Sponsorship

All MMed programmes are offered on a full-time basis. Students will have to arrange sponsorship before they enrol. The sponsorship should cover the cost of training and welfare. Proof of financial support will be a pre-requisite for confirmation of selection for those who are successful at interviews.

Application Procedures

All prospective applicants are to make their applications online through the University of Botswana website: www.ub.bw. Admissions -> Post Graduate Applications. N.B. Applicants should upload their CV using any of the unused file upload attachment spaces on the Documentation page of their Post Graduate Application. Prospective students may use any Internet facility available to them to apply or use UB internet facility located at School of Graduate Studies Offices (Block 247/First Floor).

Before Applying

Make sure the following documents are readily available:

Copy of Application fee receipt (payment can be made through UB website, At the bottom right corner you will see Pay Online link)
Certified copy of Degree Certificate (s)
Certified copies of qualifications and degrees as well as official transcripts from the applicant’s medical school
Three recent and signed letters of reference
Certified copy of National Identity Card (Omang for citizens) and Passport for international applicants
A statement of approximately 500 words indicating why the applicant is seeking postgraduate training in the particular specialty.
An up-to-date curriculum vitae listing education, work experience and relevant personal information including active e-mail addresses and mobile telephone numbers.
Copy of proof of change of surname (where applicable) N.B. All former UB students who have changed their surnames should use surnames they used while they were students at UB so that the system will easily map their student ID to their surname and to their previous record. The new surname could be captured through SGS offices once the applicant has been admitted.

Selection

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews, which will be oral, but may involve a written/practical component in some programmes. The final assessment mark will be 30% experience, 30% academic qualifications and 40% interview. Candidates who are successful will be notified by 31st August 2023 and should be available to start training on Monday, 15th January 2024.

Deadline

All applications should be received by 30th June 2023.

For enquiries or submission of application documents contact:

Masa Mojadife at mojadife@ub.ac.bw, phone +267 355 2960, Office number 104, Block 247, or
Tshwaragano Otukile at otukilet@ub.ac.bw, Phone +267 355 2861 or
Aviah Bontseng at +267 355 4712, UB Main Campus.