Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara’s International Campus will Contribute to the Training of Doctors with World-Class Preparation

The Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG) has established itself as an avant-garde institution, with world-class preparation for its students equipped with state-of-the-art technology for teaching the International Program of Medicine (PIM), mainly attended by students from the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

UAG inaugurated its modern International Campus, on Avenida Universidad between Juan Palomar and Avenida Patria. A new project at the forefront of medical education in Mexico, the 5,000-square-meter campus houses classrooms, laboratories, and recreational spaces.

The President of UAG, Lic. Antonio Leaño Reyes, stated at the opening ceremony, which was attended by personalities from the public, private, and educational sectors, that the start-up of these facilities is further proof that UAG is committed to innovative projects that cross borders.

"These magnificent facilities seek to create flexible, functional, and cutting-edge environments, such as the opening of a State-of-the-art Simulation Center and virtual reality for patient care,"

"These tools aim to reinforce clinical knowledge and improve the communication and decision-making skills of the future doctors."

He added that the alliance UAG has with CINTANA Education and Arizona State University will help to enhance this and several projects at UAG: Among them the strengthening of academic programs and the offering of dual degree postgraduate courses.

According to Susana Leaño, Vice President of International Affairs at UAG, the idea of having state-of-the-art facilities for the International Program of Medicine was conceived five years ago and has now been realized.

"Our dream was to have a building that would allow our school to continue growing, innovating, and educating with excellence; as well as developing a high-quality program, and now, this dream has come true..."

Dr. Christopher Reeder, the new Dean of the UAG International Medicine Program, spoke about the medical profession's current and future perspectives during his participation.

He mentioned how technology has enabled significant advances in medical education over the last 30 years, which is a challenge for doctors who must constantly educate themselves.

“Medical students today have a very high level of technological application, medical literature and schools, like ours, are very involved with this; the next step is virtual reality, where students perform in a totally artificial digital environment,”

Among the personalities who attended the inauguration of the UAG’s International Campus of the are the Secretary of Innovation, Science and Technology of Jalisco, Alfonso Pompa Padilla; the Secretary of Education, Juan Carlos Flores Miramontes; the Secretary of Health of Jalisco, Fernando Petersen Aranguren; and the Consul General of the United States in Guadalajara, Eliza Al-Laham; among other special guests.

Following the opening ceremony, the officials in attendance and the guests were given guided tours of the UAG's International Campus.

Modern Facilities

The UAG International Campus is equipped with specialized learning areas, that will provide an immersive simulation experience to reinforce clinical knowledge and improve decision-making skills.

The building includes modern classrooms, auditorium-style rooms, research spaces, and state-of-the-art laboratories with the latest educational technology for training world-class doctors, including a Center for Simulated Patient Care equipped with virtual reality for patient care.

All spaces have mobile and ergonomic furniture. As a result, the common areas were changed, including the library and the cafeteria area, which now houses an international franchise.

Making History in Latin America and the World

The International Program of Medicine has its roots in the 1960s, when officials from Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara participated in the meeting, "Alliance for Progress" in the United States, which had the purpose of analyzing the situation of education in Latin America and supporting projects that promote it.

UAG began admitting medical students with a pilot group in the 1970s with classes taught in English. After various reforms and agreements in 1983, the International Medical Program was established. Since then, it has trained more than 18,000 doctors from the United States and Puerto Rico.

Today about 1% of the medical force in the United States is made up of graduates of the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara.

Thanks to its agreements and educational quality, PIM offers the best clinical rotation sites in hospitals in the United States and Puerto Rico and clinical experience in the Mexican healthcare system.

A Stronger Medical Program

The International Program of Medicine will also be strengthened academically with students benefiting from the attractive educational preparation options including our Center for Simulated Patient Care and the Student Success Office providing support during their journey to become a physician.

We have taken the necessary steps to ensure that our students can live a complete experience in their training and acquire the tools and knowledge to return to their countries and give quality medical care.

The academic profile of the International Program of Medicine is comprised of highly trained professors who are fluent in medical English, have postgraduate studies, and experience in the professional field of medicine.

Through this initiative, the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara affirms itself as a world-class educational institution that promotes a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship with a sustainable approach, early practical experience with its programs, and national and global class preparations.