Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that describe the current circumstances of medical educationists in the School of Medical Sciences in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), particularly towards preparing themselves for becoming a regional hub in medical education. A total of 21 documents, including nine strategic management records, three department meeting documents and nine researchers’ observation journals were engaged in this study. The gained data were clustered by themes for each of the four categories which were strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats regarding medical educationists in the USM. High motivation and interest of the lecturers, interest in writing, presence of medical background, experienced in clinicals, experienced in management, presence of good health status, presence of postgraduate medical education and the presence of international students were designated as strengths of medical educationists. Presence of personal challenges, a majority of young lecturers and a majority with no PhD were stated as weaknesses of medical educationists. Positive support from family, strong support from the top administration to the medical education department, positive attention to individual instructors, two instructors having a PhD, supportive cadre, positive international perception to the department of medical education and large opportunities for research and school-provided grants were indicated as opportunities for medical educationists. Financial issues and facilities were expressed as threats to medical educationists. Consistent with the positive mode to move forward, there is a good chance for the USM medical faculty to become a medical education hub.
Highlights
Themes consisted of strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities regarding medical educationists in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) (Figure 1)
The presence of strengths and opportunities in the SWOT analysis are good indicators that the USM medical educationists are on the right track in their journey to becoming a regional medical education hub
International students will automatically be a source of highlighting USM medical education as a good destination
Summary
A recent call to becoming a well-known institution is welcomed by all the higher education institutions worldwide. A significant characteristic of the education hub strategy is to attract international students investing time and finance into exploring quality knowledge and skills in the country, due to the highclass education system offered by such institutions [1]. Education in Medicine Journal 2021; 13(3): 65–75 hub is considered as an interchanging of idea networking, cultures, knowledge and values between two or more countries around the world [2]. The recent trend of education hubs is focused on two categories; (a) student education and training, and (b) knowledge and innovation. It encourages foreign universities to set up branch campuses. It encourages foreign universities to collaborate with local institutions for the production and distribution of knowledge and innovation [3]. South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia are seen among the countries becoming excellent international education hubs in Asia
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