The Electives Program in Paediatrics
The Electives Programme
The Electives programme conducted by the department is a unique experience that provide you with opportunities of seeing a wide range of childhood diseases, especially those common in the tropics. The clinical skills that can be learnt from seeing these patients are far beyond the expectations of many elective students from the west. Organised teaching activities take place throughout the academic year in a congenial and stimulating setting.
Course Description
The department offers 2-8 week attachments. The Programme is integrated with organised teaching to final year medical students and includes ward rounds with academic staff, bedside learning, integrated ward classes, journal clubs, clinical meetings, clinical lecture demonstrations and mortality conferences. Visits to special clinics and units such as dermatology, cardiology, neurology, intensive care, speech therapy, neonatology are also provided.
of an individual elective student can be made if a prior request is made.
Admission Requirements
Medical undergraduates who have completed the basic sciences and first of clinical programme may apply. The academic record must be documented by officially certified credentials and a letter of recommendation from a current professor.
A good working knowledge of English is necessary. The applicant must also be in good health - physically and mentally to study in a foreign country.
Application Procedure
A written application should be submitted to the Dean at the address provided below. Please remember to include a recent passport size photograph, a letter from the Dean of your faculty confirming your student status and documentary evidence of having clinic work. Address:
Dean,
Faculty of Medicine,
Univeristy of Colombo.
P.O. Box 271,
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Selection
A formal offer of admission will be conveyed by the Dean to successful studentss within 2-3 weeks of receipt of application.
Acceptance of the Elective
You need to reply by letter confirming your elective.
Fees and Expenses
After acceptance for an elective attachment, you are required to remit US$ 65 per week to the University. This fee includes class participation regardless of the number of sessions during the period.
Health Insurance
This is not an essential requirement
Visa
Please contact the Sri Lankan Embassy in your home country. Entry visa is also obtainable at the airport. The Government may request the elective student to produce evidence of adequate funds for maintenance during their stay in Sri Lanka. The University could provide a letter of acceptance to facilitate the procedure of obtaining a visa.
Travel
Many airlines service the Bandaranaike International Airport of Sri Lanka. The City of Colombo is about 1 1/2 hours from the airport. A taxi service is available at the airport around the clock. On arrival you are expected to report to the Senior Assistant Registrar of the Faculty in the first floor of the Administration building.
Climate
Colombo has a tropical climate - hot and humid. Monsoonal rain is usual during the months of April-May and September-October. Average temperature is 28-30 degrees Celsius. Humidity is around 70-80%.
Clothing
Lightweight and informal most of the time. However in the hospitals and in the clinics, the dress code is more formal. A white over-coat must be worn and for females - dress is preferred to jeans. Strapped blouses and T-shirts are not allowed in the hospital. For males trousers and shirt are recommended. Slippers should not be worn in the hospital.
Housing and Food
On-campus accommodation is unavailable for elective students. The Registrar could guide you in finding suitable accommodation in the vicinity of the faculty. Common rooms in the faculty are open for general use until midnight. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on all weekdays in the students' restaurant at a subsidised rate. Needless to say menus will be pretty much Sri Lankan.
Rules of Conduct
Sri Lanka has a multi-cultural society that is hospitable and friendly. The faculty and hospital are non-smoking areas. In the interests of all concerned, decent conduct in general is expected from everybody.
More Information
Please email the electives office at elective@med.cmb.ac.lk for more details.
