The Foundation for Al-Quds University Medical School (FQMS) was incorporated on 3 July 1997. The Foundation currently has more than 350 members. At the time of registration this was the only Palestinian medical school. The charity has now extended its work to support medical schools in Gaza and Nablus. The principle charitable object of FQMS is "the advancement of education of the public in the field of medicine and in particular for the advancement of all aspects of the work of the Medical School at Al-Quds University."
Support to Higher Education
Because of the desperate economic conditions in the West Bank and in Gaza, it was essential that FQMS recruit as much support for the Medical School from outside the Occupied Territories as possible. FQMS funds come from membership subscriptions, individual donations, grants from charitable trusts and companies, and fundraising events. The total direct support in the year 2008 was £352,950.
Type of Support
Scholarships
While maintaining its established links with Al-Quds University, FQMS has extended support to the other medical schools, encouraging cooperation and integration between sites whenever circumstances allow. There are now 4 supported Palestinian medical schools serving different regions: Al-Quds University (Abu Dies), An-Najah University (Nablus), Al-Azhar University (Gaza), and the Islamic University (Gaza).
FQMS has supported 7 students to finish their PhDs in the various branches of medical sciences; who now form the backbone of the departments in the Faculty of Medicine.
Training
● Postgraduate training and sub-specialty training for Faculty members.
● Short-term elective study placements for Palestinian medical students in Britain, other European countries, the US, Jordan and Egypt.
● Short-term hospital-based training in Britain for 5th year students—clinical electives.
● Bursaries for postgraduate training and sub-specialty training in the UK.
● Postgraduate fellowship training program in sub-specialties.
Grants
FQMS encouraging medical research, by awarding grants to successful applicants based on the main policy and requirements. Grants are offered in the form of infrastructure, research, and people support.
Duration of Support
Scholarships
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Training
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Grants
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Eligibility Criteria
Scholarships
Funds are made available each year for bursaries for students with particular needs enabling postgraduate staff development, via PhD and Clinical Fellowship programs in the UK. The selection process is made taking into consideration geographic distribution.
Training
FQMS is supporting a number of postgraduate training and sub-specialty training for Faculty members, in addition to a number of elective placements for the best students who find a place through their own efforts, either in the UK or approved hospitals in other countries. Students will be responsible for their own flight bookings, travel arrangements and vaccination certificates. Some of the hospitals ask for evidence of extensive immunizations.
Grants
● Projects should aim to support the best health and medical research in Palestine.
● The initial application conditions must be met.
● Regular reporting of project progress is required.
● FQMS funds are limited and there is competition to get support for many different projects. All projects are regularly reviewed and may be cancelled or curtailed if reporting and feedback is negative or inadequate.
Application Procedures
Scholarships
In coordination with the 4 universities, the application and conditions of the scholarship are announced yearly in the beginning of the academic year. Selection process is made by the FQMS selection committee taking into consideration geographic distribution.
Training
FQMS provides short-term hospital-based training in Britain for 5th year students—clinical electives. The role of the FQMS in organizing electives is to seek friendly and supportive supervisors both in the UK and other countries, and to make grants to students who have secured placements approved by their Dean or Director of Studies to help in meeting some of the expenses of the placement. In coordination with the university, the application form should be filled and emailed with the CV.
Grants
Grants applications can be obtained by email through contacting:
grants@fqms.org
Deadlines
Scholarships
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Training
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Grants
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Contact
Additional Information
The provided support is concentrated on the maintenance of high standards through:
● Encouraging cooperation between the different medical schools.
● Supporting and helping in the standardization and unification of educational standards among the different medical schools.
● Salary supplementation for Faculty staff in medical schools.
● Providing medical text books to staff and medical school libraries.
● The provision of teaching materials and equipment to schools.
● Short attachments for Faculty staff members.
● Sponsoring staff attendance at conferences and courses deemed useful at an institutional level.
● Promoting staff development, and intra-school communication, through electronic learning.
● The organization and financing of visits to Palestine by international examiners and visiting professors.
● The development of web-based e-learning and interactive video links for training and postgraduate development. During 2006, FQMS spent 220,000 on setting up a distant-learning network at Al-Quds.