Reverse Linkage

34 REVERSE LINKAGE Sciences (SMAHS) of the University of The Gambia. A trian- gular approach was implemented whereby Turkey, as the provider, would share expertise and knowledge through Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University (AYBU) with the University of The Gambia (UTG) as beneficiary. IsDB, as facilitator, co-financed the project with TİKA. In order to better evaluate the project proposal, a diag- nostic mission was conducted in May 2015 to initiate a peer-to-peer consultation process among the technical specialists of AYBU, SMAHS (facilitated by IsDB) and TİKA. The main objectives of the mission were to conduct a study to determine the capacity development needs of SMAHS, identify potential areas of intervention, and propose solu- tions through the transfer of AYBU’s knowledge and expertise. The visit was concluded by the joint formulation of a project plan which was given a thorough assessment by all stakeholders. A joint mission comprising the stakeholders’ representa- tives then organized a validation visit in August 2015 to fine tune the project design, confirm the financing plan and examine the implementation as well as the disbursement arrangements of the project budget. Based on the field analysis, three project components emerged as follows: The first component was skills development for the medical teaching staff. There was a lack of clinical teaching staff in both core and speciality disciplines, so a thorough capacity and skills development programme was imple- mented in cooperation with AYBU. This has contributed to reducing dependency on SMAHS external lecturers. Other measures are: • Observership training programme in Turkey • Short-term training courses in The Gambia • Master of Science (MSc) scholarships in Turkey • Study visits to Turkey. The second component was the upgrading of the medical teaching laboratory and ICT infrastructure, envisioned to improve the practical teaching skills of the medical students. It is intended that computer laboratories of selected locations will be equipped with computers and supplementary equip- ment as well as intranet/internet infrastructure to establish a reliable platform for internal and external communica- tions for SMAHS medical staff and students. The internet facility will also give students access to online libraries for conducting research. Other measures are the provision of equipment for: • A clinical skill centre • A multi-purpose medical teaching laboratory for biomedical sciences • A teaching laboratory for pathological sciences • The upgrading of ICT infrastructure. The third component was the improvement of the conditions of teaching facilities to create a conducive learning environ- ment. Classrooms have been fully equipped with teaching materials such as desks, chairs and white boards for effective Project partners in the evaluation meeting at University of The Gambia Fellow, Omar Jallow, during his studies at the microbiology laboratory, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University Image: TIKA Image: TIKA