Overview of the UNMDG Project

The UQ-UNMDG Project is a joint venture of the UQ School of Medicine and the UQ Medical Society (UQMS). It brings a substantial focus on Global Health to all students of the UQ Medical Program.

Its impetus originates from the Head of UQ School of Medicine’s attendance at the 2007 Universitas 21 (U21) Annual Meeting.  At that meeting, Professor David Wilkinson offered UQ’s commitment to a new U21 Health Sciences Project that is currently being developed.

The U21 Project aims to address the 8 Millennium Development Goals by designing a relevant training module, to be incorporated into the curricula of health science training institutions around the world. The expectation is that each academic institution would tailor the training module according to their course requirements. 

While proudly linked to the U21 initiative, the UQ-UNMDG Project retains its independence – illustrated by the dual focus on Developing World Health and Australian Indigenous Health. 

It will deliver teaching and training, assist medical students to have relevant clinical experiences, offer extracurricular activities and raise awareness of these issues.  Shaped by consultation with over 250 expert academics, clinicians, technical staff and students, and the structure of the project is demonstrated below.

Structure of the UQ-UNMDG Project

What are the Millennium Development Goals?

Why is UQ Medicine is committed to the UNMDG Project?

Health occupies centre stage in the Millennium Development Goals. The UQ School of Mecicine  acknowledges that understanding aspects of global health and development is important for all medical graduates. The eight MDGs represent a substantial global partnership that has grown from the commitments and targets established at the world summits of the 1990s.

Set in 2000 and monitored by measurable targets and indicators, the MDGs respond to the world's main development challenges. They were adopted by the United Nations to coordinate efforts to achieve large scale improvement for the lives of many people around the world, by the 2015 deadline.

Through the UNMDG Project, the UQ School of Medicine and UQ Medical Society are committed to providing the education, skills, training and opportunities to give UQ medical graduates the chance to make a real difference.

More About the 4 Components of this Project

1.  Curriculum-based modifications

Alter the UQ Medical Program (throughout years 1, 2, 3 and 4) to incorporate the UNMDG within the 4 year Medical Curriculum:

1. School Learning Objectives
2. Syllabus
3. Course Requirements
4. Handbook and Electronic Course Profiles
5. Problem Based Learning cases
6. Lectures, Symposia and Tutorials
7. Pre-Elective training modules

2.  Web Portal to facilitate teaching and learning

This public access online resource offers concise teaching and learning documents. It is the product of collaboration between the UQ School of Medicine, UQMS and other stakeholders:

1. School of Population Health (SPH), UQ Faculty of Health Sciences
2. Pacific Malaria Initiative Support Centre (PacMISC) (Consortium: UQ-SPH, AAMI, QIMR)
3. HIV & HCV Education Projects Group, UQ School of Medicine
4. Australian National University
5. Universitas 21 institutions
6. Health Workforce Queensland
7. Student affiliates of the UQMS: SWIM, TIME and TROHPIQ, AMSA and UNSA

3.  Extracurricular activities

The School of Medicine and UQMS are committed to creating new and promoting existing extracurricular activities.  Many and diverse opportunities exist for medical students to take part or stage fun, informative and useful sessions to engage with the vast spectrum of global health

1. Workshops
2. Seminars
3. Skills training sessions
4. Conferences

4.  Raising public awareness and support

Achieving substantial progress for the Millennium Development Goals, Developing World Health and Australian Indigenous Health is a major challenge.  It is necessary to increase awareness, understanding and knowledge of these issues throughout our local and global communities so that people and organisations are well-positioned to contribute effectively.

The UQ UNMDG Project directly involves many people.  Its resources are accessible to:

1. UQ School of Medicine staff and students
2. School of Population Health staff and students in the UQ Faculty of Health Sciences
3. Other Schools and Faculties throughout the University of Queensland,
4. Brisbane schools,
5. Medical Schools around Australia and overseas,
6. The general public

To download a printable version of this overview, click here