BVI’s medical school likely before end of year
The BVI’s long-anticipated medical school is now likely to be fully up and running before year’s end if all goes according to plan.
This is according to Education Minister, Dr Natalio Wheatley.
Cabinet recently approved the recommendation for Tiber Health Public Benefit Corporation to establish a medical school in the territory.
Cabinet further decided that the Corporation should be granted a provisional licence pending accreditation by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) and that a full licence be granted once accreditation through ACCM is obtained.
Speaking on the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Let’s Talk radio programme last evening, May 25, Dr Wheatley said the US-based Corporation’s application was vetted through the Higher Education Licensing Board to secure its provisional licence.
Dr Wheatley said there was also an evaluation done by a committee that included a medical doctor and members of the licensing board before being brought to Cabinet for provisional approval.
“Really, it was a very proud day for me as Minister of Education,” Dr Wheatley stated. “We gave provisional approval to this group for a license to be granted and this group is going to be working feverishly to establish a medical school in the BVI before the end of this year.”
The Education Minister said the school will likely begin operations with around 50-60 students. However, it is expected to see some 200-250 students once at full capacity.
He said the presence of the students here is expected to offer a significant boost to the territory’s overall revenue and will also be able to accommodate local students who are interested in being trained in the medical profession.
Cabinet recently approved the recommendation for Tiber Health Public Benefit Corporation to establish a medical school in the territory.
Cabinet further decided that the Corporation should be granted a provisional licence pending accreditation by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) and that a full licence be granted once accreditation through ACCM is obtained.
Speaking on the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Let’s Talk radio programme last evening, May 25, Dr Wheatley said the US-based Corporation’s application was vetted through the Higher Education Licensing Board to secure its provisional licence.
Dr Wheatley said there was also an evaluation done by a committee that included a medical doctor and members of the licensing board before being brought to Cabinet for provisional approval.
“Really, it was a very proud day for me as Minister of Education,” Dr Wheatley stated. “We gave provisional approval to this group for a license to be granted and this group is going to be working feverishly to establish a medical school in the BVI before the end of this year.”
The Education Minister said the school will likely begin operations with around 50-60 students. However, it is expected to see some 200-250 students once at full capacity.
He said the presence of the students here is expected to offer a significant boost to the territory’s overall revenue and will also be able to accommodate local students who are interested in being trained in the medical profession.
