The role of the medical teacher is evolving, with advances in educational research and progress in the health care delivery system. Medical Education is rapidly developing with many innovations to meet these challenges. The courses in Medical Education currently offered by the PGIM include a postgraduate certificate, a postgraduate Diploma, and MD and Board Certification. These study programmes have been designed in a structured stepwise manner to develop participants’ competencies at a range of levels, in order to enable participants to design, conduct and evaluate effective educational programmes and research.

The training programme leading to the PG Diploma in Medical Education was introduced by the PGIM in 2012, with successful completion of the PG Certificate in Medical Education as the entry point. It was tailor-made for medical professionals involved in teaching allied health students, medical undergraduates, postgraduates, and / or in Continuing Professional Development, and who wish to pursue Medical Education. The current amendment, considering the volume of learning and the full-time nature of the PG Diploma, with trainees assigned to an accredited training centre for completion of course work, converts the PG Diploma to a Master of Medical Education. With the introduction of the proposed MMEd, the current PG Diploma programme will be discontinued. The MMEd will be at the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF) Level 9, with one year of full-time taught course work and the development of an original portfolio by a candidate.

The following outcomes and competencies are expected of holders of the MMEd degree:

Outcome 1: Instructional material developer

1. Design instructional strategies for different levels of learning

Outcome 2: Learning facilitator

2. Critically evaluate techniques that could be used to facilitate learning in different learning situations
3. Assist medical / health professions education programmes with educational leadership and management, staff development and continuing professional development

Outcome 3: Assessor

4. Design and evaluate assessments at different levels of complexity.

Outcome 4: Curriculum planner

5. Design curricula for medical / health profession education programmes based on educational theories, current trends, quality assurance principles and contextual factors

Outcome 5: Mentor/counselor

6. Develop plans to mentor/counsel students to build the learner capacity
7. Foster an appropriate educational environment and support system for learners

Outcome 6: Educational programme evaluator

8. Evaluate medical education programmes/curricula using appropriate models of evaluation and based on national/international guidelines for curriculum evaluation

Outcome 7: Scholar/researcher/manager

9. Utilize best evidence in medical education for educational interventions
10. Apply basic research principles in the context of medical / healthcare professions education
11. Utilize appropriate ICT resources for educational interventions and research
12. Engage in their own continuing professional development

Prospective applicants must fulfill the following requirements, in any one of three  categories:

A. Medical graduates

1. a medical degree (of SLQF level 7) registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council and
2. one year of internship recognized by the Sri Lanka Medical Council and
3. one year of work experience, related to participation in educational activities as a teacher/trainer/supervisor, after internship and
4. successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate Course in Medical Education conducted by the PGIM, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

B. Dental Science graduates

1. a dental science degree (of SLQF Level 6) registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council and
2. one year of internship recognized by the Sri Lanka Medical Council and
3. one year of work experience, related to participation in educational activities as a teacher/trainer/supervisor, after internship

OR

1. two years’ work experience, related to participation in medical / health professions educational activities as a teacher/trainer/supervisor after graduation  AND
2. successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate Course in Medical Education conducted by the PGIM, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

C. Veterinary Science / Allied Health Science graduates / Science graduates

1. a Bachelor’s Special / Honours degree in Veterinary Science, or Allied Health Sciences, or Science (of SLQF Level 6), and where applicable, registered with the Sri  Lanka Medical Council or the Sri Lanka Nursing Council on the recommendation of  the Ceylon Medical College Council, and
2. three years’ work experience, related to participation in medical/ health professions educational activities as a teacher/trainer/supervisor after graduation, and
3. successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate Course in Medical Education conducted by the PGIM, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka with a minimum GPA of  2.5.

An applicant holding another postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Medical/Health Professions Education may be exempted from Criterion (A – iv/ B – v/ C – iii). Exemptions will also be considered on a case-by-case basis after scrutinizing the detailed transcript, and such exemptions will require approval of the Specialty Board, Board of Study in Multidisciplinary Study Courses, and the Board of Management of the PGIM.

These requirements must be fulfilled by the date of closure of applications.

Please refer to the relevant prospectus for the most up to date information. The prospectus of a particular programme contains official information pertaining to a programme approved by the Board of Management, University Senate and the University Grants Commission