Prof. Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of Gulf Medical University was awarded the Ministry of Health & Prevention’s Award for Innovative Learning Technology at the Healthcare Innovation Awards ceremony conducted by the Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP), held at the MOHAP Training and Development Center in Sharjah, on 13th February, 2020.

The award was conferred to Prof. Hossam for developing Virtual Patient Learning (VPL), significantly enhancing students’ skills and learning experience.

“VPL is the most sophisticated simulator with the highest fidelity using artificial intelligence and problem-based learning in medical education.

The Virtual Patient Learning (VPL) technology of Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, developed by the Chancellor Prof. Hossam Hamdy - internationally known medical educator and active pediatric surgeon - was recognized as ‘one of the most innovative technologies in life sciences’, at the Healthcare Innovation Awards ceremony conducted by the Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP)” an official press statement from the university stated.

Developed for training the medical and health professions students of GMU, Virtual Patient Learning (VPL) is the most sophisticated simulator with the highest fidelity using artificial intelligence and problem-based learning in medical education. It exposes future healthcare professionals to a wide range of patient problems involving males and females of different age groups and ethnic backgrounds, so that they practice their clinical skills in a virtual setting before being introduced to actual clinical settings.

As a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) application, VPL invokes critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and communicational skills amongst students. The program gives the students authentic medical problems including history and clinical examination, investigations, lab results, vital signs, X-rays, and interaction with virtual patients to obtain information that would help them correctly identify medical problems of each case and prescribe treatments.

Expressing delight at the prestigious MOHAP recognition won by VPL, Prof. Hossam Hamdy said, “It is wonderful to see innovative training methodologies used at Gulf Medical University being recognized at the regional and global levels. The Virtual Patient Learning (VPL) is the only simulation which captures the patient’s emotional reactions to the learner’s approach of communications with the virtual patient. Because it is highly authentic and extends beyond the simple acquisition of knowledge, I believe that Virtual Patient Learning (VPL) will gradually replace the traditional less authentic forms of Problem Based Learning.”

GMU is the first university in the Middle East region to introduce VPL, which is making a huge difference to the overall learning experience of the students, arming them with additional skills and insights to evolve as healthcare professionals of the future. VPL has won international acclaim earlier, securing top positions regionally and globally at the Reimagine Education Conference & Awards in the USA, in the Creative Learning and E-learning categories.

Virtual patient learning can be used in two modes: a ‘learning’ mode and an ‘evaluation’ mode. The learning mode is developed to stimulate student-centered learning and is linked to a large number of resources such as radiological images, laboratory results, videos, and management guidelines. The evaluation mode can be used for the purpose of evaluating students’ decision-making and communication skills.

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Hyderabad (PTI): Mounting his attack on the BJP, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was against reservations and wanted to take away quotas from the people.

Addressing an election rally at Nirmal under Adilabad (ST) Lok Sabha constituency in Telangana, he claimed that the ongoing general elections is taking place between two ideologies in which Congress is trying to safeguard the Constitution, while the BJP-RSS combine wants to end it and people's rights.

"Narendra Modi ji is against reservation. He wants to take away reservations from you. The biggest issue before the country is increasing reservation from 50 per cent," he added.

The Congress has in its manifesto promised that if the party forms the government at the Centre, it will breach the 50 per cent limit and increase the quotas beyond 50 per cent, he said.

BJP leaders also want reservations to end, he claimed.

Alleging that Modi privatised the public sector, Gandhi said the contract system implemented by the BJP-led government amounts to removing reservations.

"We will remove contract systems in government offices and the public sector. Permanent jobs would be available, not temporary jobs," he said.

"Narendra Modi has never said in his speeches till today that he will remove the 50 per cent barrier of reservations," Gandhi said.

He claimed that BJP leaders have told the countrymen that if their party wins elections, they will change and finish the Constitution.

"If the Constitution is finished, reservation will end," he said.

The BJP wants backward classes, dalits, adivasis remain backward, he alleged.

PM Modi waived off loans to the tune of Rs 16 lakh crore of about 22-25 people. "Rs 16 lakh crore means MNREGA money of 24 years, Narendra Modi ji gave to 22 people," he claimed.

The 22 rich people have money equivalent to what 70 crore Indians have. "The Congress is going to change this," he said.

Observing that the Congress government in Telangana implements poll promises like free travel for women in state-run buses, Gandhi said his party, if it comes to power at the Centre, would implement similar 'guarantees' across the country.

He said a list of poor families in the country would be taken up and Rs one lakh per annum would be deposited in the bank account of a woman from every family.

Noting that more than 90 per cent of the population comprises backward classes, adivasis, minorities and the poor in the general category, the Congress leader said they don't have a place in any organisation in the country.

The caste census proposed by the Congress would change the politics of the country because such poor and 90 per cent of people would come to know about their population and share, he said.

"We will make a survey of every organisation in the country. We will find out how much money the backward classes, dalits, adivasis and the poor have. After the caste census, there will be new politics in Telangana and in the country," he said.

The Constitution should be safeguarded and reservations should be increased, Gandhi said.

The incumbent government of the rich should be dislodged from power and the government of the poor, farmers, dalits and others should be installed, he added.