A group of 20 students from Qatar University's (QU) College of Medicine and College of Health Sciences completed an international internship at Mater Olbia Hospital in Sardinia, Italy. The month-long programme, offered 10 medical, five physical therapy, and five biomedical science students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on clinical experience.
This collaboration between QU Health and Mater Olbia Hospital underscores the commitment of both institutions to fostering global healthcare education and providing students with world-class training, a QU statement said. Prof Asmaa al-Thani, vice-president for Health and Medical Sciences at QU, said: “This international experience fosters a global perspective on our academic practices. The students gained valuable skills that will enhance their healthcare careers and improve their ability to handle diverse diagnostic, treatment, and examination protocols.”
Prof Giovanni Delogu, Professor of Microbiology at the Catholic University in Italy and Scientific Director at Mater Olbia Hospital, said the students actively participated in the daily clinical activities in the many fields of medicine. “The students attended regularly the series of 18 lectures and showed an excellent knowledge of the mechanisms of diseases, the diagnostic approach to be chosen and therapies to be adopted. I admired their critical thinking and ability to interact and comments during the lectures.
"Moreover, the students were very polite and respectful. We hope we can build a stronger collaboration with Qatar University thanks to this programme,” he said.
Prof Maurizio Porcu, head of the Cardiology and Internal Medicine Unit for medicine students, noted: “The participants strongly confirm the previous evidence of a diffused high level of knowledge and excellent baseline preparation achieved during their course of study. They already orient themselves adequately in clinical strategies, are able to plan diagnosis and treatments and show a diffused proactive behaviour, generally not so easy to detect among medical students.”
Prof Dario Luchetti, head of the Physical Medical and Rehabilitation Unit for physical therapy students, commented: “All the students showed a solid understanding of the physical therapy practices, and a marked ability to apply their knowledge in the clinical settings. They were also able to brilliantly overcome the language barriers that they encountered with patients that could speak only Italian!”
Nada Asadollah al-Emadi, section head of Global Education and Student Exchange at the Student Activities Department, said: “Facilitating such trips is crucial for our students as it enriches their practical skills and experiences, giving them an early entry into the real world of work.”
In her role as supervisor for the Mater Olbia internship programme, Dr Zain Zaki Zakaria, section head of Clinical Appointment who supervised the students during the trip, said: "Throughout their stay, we received consistently positive feedback from the hospital team regarding the students' conduct. They impressed everyone with their maturity, responsibility, and professionalism. This programme provided them with invaluable clinical exposure while also fostering a strong reputation for QU Health students on the international stage.”
Salwa al-Maraghi, College of Medicine student, said travelling for a hospital internship in a different country was an incredibly enriching experience that broadened her professional and personal horizons.
"I learned advanced medical techniques and witnessed a diverse range of medical conditions, many of which I had only read about in textbooks. This journey not only bolstered my medical knowledge but also cultivated a profound appreciation for cultural diversity and adaptability in healthcare settings. It was a transformative experience that will undoubtedly shape my future career in medicine.”
Abdulla al-Kaabi, said: “As a medical student interested in orthopaedics, my summer internship at Mater Olbia Hospital was incredibly beneficial. I had the opportunity to work with experienced doctors in the operating room, clinic, and ward, where I encountered various cases and performed different procedures, significantly enhancing my clinical skills.”
Latifa al-Neiami, also a College of Medicine student, said: “It was an entirely different experience that allowed me to acquire new surgical skills.”
Mai AlFehaidi, a Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science student, said the internship provided her hands-on experience with advanced techniques such as manual therapy and neurological rehabilitation, which enhanced my practical skills. "It also improved my cultural competence, as I learned to adapt to and respect different healthcare approaches, enriching my ability to work with a diverse patient population.”
Areej al-Rauili, a Biomedical Sciences student said the internship allowed her to immerse in a real-world setting, applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations in a hospital environment.”
