Final-year medical student, Azhar Adam Nadkar, has been elected by a global association for medical education to coordinate the student participation in a major conference later this year.

Nadkar was recognised last year by the rector of Stellenbosch University (SU) for his excellent leadership skills.

Nadkar has become the first African medical student to be appointed by the International Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) and the International Federation for Medical Students Association (IFMSA) as the AMEE Student Taskforce (STF) Coordinator 2020/21 for the AMEE 2021 Conference, which will take place in Scotland in August. 

The AMEE conference, which takes place in a different country every year, is an annual event that is open to all faculty members, medical teachers and students involved in health professions education at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as those involved in continuing education. The aim of the conference is to expose participants to best practice by means of some master class sessions. Its aim is also to promote the use of evidence-based education in the health professions. 

In an interview, Nadkar said he was humbled by and excited about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

He is passionate about student involvement in health professions education, and he believes strongly that students should be involved in all learning and teaching initiatives. 

“Medical education is the core element that affects healthcare at every level. The implementation of effective educational strategies in health professions education will directly translate into the development of good healthcare practitioners, who are sorely needed in many countries, including our own," said Nadkar. 

“The conference provides a safe space for faculty members, teachers and students to network and discuss new advances in the field of health professions education. It also provides an opportunity for them to engage with one another on the topic of the globalisation of the efforts of developing and improving the curriculum, teaching and learning methodologies, and methods of assessment in their home institutions. It is a key meeting, which also provides great opportunities for attending courses, taking part in workshops, presenting research, networking with expert health educationalists and enhancing our professional development." 

Nadkar said as one of the  AMEE STF Coordinators, he will be part of a team of five people who will work together to lead the student delegation at the conference, while also working as the liaison between the AMEE STF and the AMEE executive and conference planning committee. “I will be joined by my four fellow AMEE STF Coordinators who are from Germany, Poland, Iraq, and Scotland. We'll also be involved in orientating and training the student taskforce in the months leading up to the conference." 

He said: “One goal during my term is to create opportunities for other African students. I would like to pave the way for other students." 

Nadkar has been recognised as a student who embraces being involved in co-curricular activities, and, at the end of last year, received the SU Rector's Award for Excellent Achievement in the category of Leadership. 

In her supporting letter for Nadkar's award, Professor Julia Blitz, Vice-Dean: Learning and Teaching for SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), described him as a “valued member of our faculty, making contributions across a wide range of activities, while taking a strong leadership role in one of the very important aspects of our learning and teaching strategy with regard to health professions education." 

She said as a first-generation student, Nadkar has embraced a strong leadership role in the medical faculty, while not neglecting his academic studies. “He has also managed to play a meaningful role in a number of student societies, showing the breadth of his contribution to life and learning outside the curriculum. Nadkar is guided by service to others, showing the real attributes of a leader who learns new skills in order to assist others. He is also serving the community be means of outreach activities." 

“The hard work and commitment that he has shown goes above and beyond what is expected from students at the FMHS. On numerous occasions, Nadkar has assisted the FMHS by volunteering in various capacities," said Khairoonisa Foflonker, the FMHS Student Affairs manager. 

When asked what special contribution he would bring as the first African student to occupy this  position, Nadkar had the following to say: “I am approaching this with a sense of humility, as well as  passion, with regard to what we have already achieved, and also hope to achieve in the near future in Africa. Although we are often faced with resource constraints and a unique burden of disease in this setting, we have the will and ambition to treat our patients holistically. I intend to take that approach, as well as cultural humility, to the conference." 

Nadkar, who loves reading and staying up to date with current affairs, when not working or volunteering, spoke about his long-term goals: “My goal as a medical doctor is to successfully achieve three core competencies - to become a competent healthcare practitioner, to become a proficient scholar and researcher, and to excel as a medical teacher. All three of these components will enable me to fulfil the holistic requirements expected of healthcare professionals in the South African setting. 

“After graduation, I look forward to completing my medical internship and community service, and after that, I am particularly interested in pursuing specialty training in internal medicine. I would also like to pursue a Masters and/or PhD degree in health professions education. I want to be involved in health professions education to help ensure that incoming cohorts of students are trained effectively to become competent healthcare practitioners."

Photo credit: Thomas Groom​