30yearsBMEP
From IALS Life Sciences University Network
30 Years of BMEP - A celebration of learning, sharing, and leading
Medizinhistorisches Museum Charité, Ruine
December 10, 2010
Welcome and Introductions
Prof. Hilmar Stolte, M.D., President IALS
Since BMEP was founded in 1979 by Prof. John Boylan, M.D., and Prof. Stolte., M.D., over 1,600 German and American students, post-graduates, faculty members, and scientific assistants have been placed at universities and scientific institutes on both sides of the Atlantic. In addition to this transatlantic bridge, IALS/BMEP has developed initiatives in St. Petersburg, Russia; Guangzhou, China; and Istanbul, Turkey.
IALS/BMEP has facilitated this training of a core group of almost 700 participants using the “Central European patho-mechanistic approach,” adopted via the English “learning by doing” approach, to include the new developments from Molecular Biology to the Life Sciences.
Life Sciences builds a bridge between sciences and the humanities. New medical options, innovations in food technology, and the diverse applications of bio- and gene technology will profoundly change our personal lives more and more. These changes demand a new kind of education for those who will lead medicine in the 21st century.
Today, nearly half of BMEP alumni are in such leadership positions in medicine, academics, business, and governmental / non-governmental organizations. Our mission is to continue to foster new generations of outstanding doctors and researchers on the leading edge of transdisciplinary biomedical developments.
Welcome Round
Chair:
Prof. Karsten Dreinhöfer, M.D., Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Speakers:
Prof. Annette Grüters-Kieslich, M.D., Dean, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Prof. Grüters gave an overview of the venue’s history and explained the Charité international programs. For her, international exchange programs are crucial: “All students should spend part of their time abroad.”
Prof. Hermann Haller, M.D., Dean of Education, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
Prof. Haller spoke about the difference between lifeless and vital structures, and the necessity of providing scope for creative thought. BMEP is an example of a structure full of vitality and creativity.
Prof. Winston Langley, Ph.D., Provost University of Massachusetts
Prof. Langley presented his vision of a holistic university which uses the educational framework to focus not only on specialist knowledge and personal development, but also on relevant social and spiritual issues.
Ulrich Grothus, Vice Secretary General, Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, Bonn
Vice Secretary General Grothus certified BMEP as achieving a high standard within the DAAD internal quality control system. He expressed his wish that BMEP would continue to be a success for many years to come.
Prof. John Forrest, M.D., Yale University, School of Medicine and Director em. M.D.I.B.L.
Prof. Forrest recounted the beginnings of BMEP on Mount Desert Island. He spoke about the high level of commitment and high quality of the “fellows”, committing himself once more to increasing promotion of mentoring as an important element of university education.
Editing and pictures : Thomas Bierbaum,M.Sc. & Holger Moerling
