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WORLD GASTROENTEROLOGY NEWS JULY 2019
Editorial | Expert Point of View | WCOG 2019 | WDHD News | WGO & WGOF News | WGO Global Guidelines | Calendar of Events
18th WGO-RTC Post-Graduate Course at the
Rabat Training Center, Morocco
MY ALL-TOO-SHORT STAY IN MOROCCO AT THE YEARLY FRENCH AFRICA POST-GRADUATE COURSE
Alan Barkun, MD,CM, FRCP(C), FACP, FACG, AGAF,
MSc (Clinical Epidemiology)
Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University and the McGill
University Health Centre
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
WOW! What an experience! Indeed,
my involvement as a speaker at this
yearly Post-Graduate Course in Gastroenterology
and Hepatology – the
oldest and most respected, targeting
French-speaking Africa - transcends
the usual faculty engagement. It is
truly a life-changing event for both
participants and faculty. But why?
What makes this such a special educational
few days?
First and foremost, the participants:
a highly motivated, multinational
and multicultural group of
colleagues who bring with them an
The WGO Rabat Training Center
offers a ten day course which
is open to all Francophone gastroenterologists
(with preference
to those from Africa) who wish
to improve their knowledge in
hepatology, gastroenterology and
digestive oncology. The 2019
edition was held from 24 January
– 2 February.
openness of mind and genuine thirst
for learning that in my experience is
both unusual and extremely gratifying
for all present – both speakers and attendees.
This is my fourth course and
I still exchange WhatsApp and e-mail
correspondence with some whom I
had been privileged to meet at past
courses.
Next, the speakers who span
designated parts of the 10-day curriculum.
All were carefully chosen for
their expertise, lecturing skills, and
endorsement of the course philosophy
that focuses on extensive interactions
with the attendees during both didactic
and organized social events – all in
an effort to help mentor participants
about knowledge, procedural skills,
and career goals. The entire group
becomes essentially a family whose
members – trainees and faculty –
learn continuously together and from
each other, in a multitude of learning
sessions that include didactic, small
group, and hands-on opportunities.
An additional reason for the success
is no doubt in part the exotic, beautiful
setting of Rabat, the capital of
Morocco.
But perhaps most crucial to the
continued popularity of this wonderful
educational event is the unending
dedication, hard work, vision and
The entire group becomes essentially a family whose
members – trainees and faculty – learn continuously
together and from each other, in a multitude of learning
sessions that include didactic, small group, and hands-on
opportunities.
Course at the Rabat TC Participants and faculty
Training models