WCMC-NY students converse with WCMC-Q students (on screen) via videoconference.
On Sunday, Nov. 16, at 9:30 a.m. EST (5:30 p.m. Qatar time), history was made when the first-ever overseas student government meeting between Weill Cornell Medical College in New York (WCMC-NY) and Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) was held via videoconference.
This unprecedented event was the culmination of months of preparation beginning when Charles Paragg, director of student affairs at WCMC-Q, contacted Joseph Habboushe, student overseer (WCMC-NY Class of 2006). Together with current Medical Student Executive Council New York (MSEC-NY) president Rafael Vazquez (WCMC-NY Class of 2006) and former MSEC-NY president Jillian Polis (WCMC-NY Class of 2005), Paragg and Habboushe discussed ways of establishing a student government at WCMC-Q. The result was the first Medical Student Executive Council Qatar (MSEC-Q) elections held the week of Nov. 10. An eight-member student body was formed, with Ibrahim Sultan elected as the first MSEC-Q student president.
According to Habboushe, "My experience in Qatar this summer showed me that one of the biggest challenges for the students is the establishment of student initiatives such as student government and student interest groups. Unlike our experiences in college and medical school here, these students have no upperclassmen to look up to. They must figure it out on their own, and lead those who will follow in their footsteps. This is why I presented the idea of having an overseas videoconference between our student government and the student government in Qatar."
The videoconference, which was arranged at WCMC-Q's New York satellite office located on 61st Street, lasted an hour and a half. The members of MSEC-NY and MSEC-Q discussed the ins and outs of student government and how to establish new student groups. In addition, MSEC-Q members provided an update on Weill Cornell's newest campus and the newest group of fellow Weill Cornell students.
"The MSEC-Qatar student representatives seemed motivated and ready to work diligently for a successful first year. They are off to a great start!" said Polis.
Vazquez added: "The plan right now is to hold regular meetings in the future. We want to open the lines of communication between the two locations in order to have a more unified, international, medical student body. I'm excited at the prospect of working with my international colleagues to continue to make Weill Cornell Medical College an elite medical institute."
"Most importantly, this initiative will lay the groundwork to bring our students closer together," Habboushe said. He continued, "We are a part of a project that is making history, establishing a new standard for medical education around the world. Technology, such as a videoconferencing, will serve as a basis of communication between the students as the locations continue to grow closer." --------