During the beautiful days of Spring Semester 2019, Tan Tao University (TTU) was delighted to receive an important announcement, marking a great turning point in the training and education of students. The School of Medicine of Tan Tao University has excelled and been honored to receive the certificate of Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) of the United States.
The ECFMG program was established in the 1950s as a tool to control the quality of doctors graduating outside the United States. All graduated doctors outside the United States are called IMG (International Medical Graduates) including FMG (Foreign Medical Graduates) and US IMG (United States International Medical Graduates) – American doctors who go overseas to study medicine. Foreign doctors receiving ECFMG certificate are considered as equivalent to doctors working in the United States.
Thus, with the attainment of ECFMG certificate, graduates of the School of Medicine of Tan Tao University in 2019 were qualified to take part in the USMLE exam. USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) is a national exam and a measure of quality that doctor who wants to practice medicine in the United States must pass. Currently, in Vietnam, there are only 11 major and specialized medical universities have students eligible to take the USMLE exam. In the North, the outstanding names can be mentioned are: Hanoi Medical University, Thai Nguyen Medical University, Thai Binh Medical University, Hai Phong Medical University and Vietnamese Military Medical Academy. In the Central Region, there are only 2 universities meeting the criteria of USMLE: Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy and Tay Nguyen University. Particularly in the South, Tan Tao University has excellently advanced into the list along with universities with a long history of training talented students such as Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University and Can Tho University.
In addition, in all the schools mentioned above, Tan Tao University is the only university having curriculum and training program for students of School of Medicine to prepare for the USMLE exam. This is a special point, making the uniqueness for School of Medicine as well as Tan Tao University. Also in 2019, one-third of the graduates will travel to the United States to prepare for the USMLE exam. Students will be assisted in planning study, resting schedule and attending supplementary classes by many experienced medical doctors who successfully conquered this difficult exam. All efforts in creating the best conditions have become a special mark of the School of Medicine of Tan Tao University.
In addition, pride as well as the goal of the School of Medicine lied at the high quality curriculum of the school. By being recognized by ECFMG, School of Medicine has affirmed its name to be on par with many American Medical Universities. This is also the foundation and a solid stepping stone for talented students to go further in their work and career. Moreover, in order to reinforce the commitment to training quality, the University also carries out many student exchange activities and sends students to study abroad and practice in the United States and countries around the world as well as invite professors, doctors for teaching and working at TTU.
Hopefully, with the constant efforts of medical students and the support from the faculties and staff, Tan Tao University, especially the School of Medicine will definitely reap great achievements in the future.
