Mr Henness Wong1
1New South Wales Medical Students’ Council (NSWMSC), Sydney, Australia
International medical students in Australian medical universities are not guaranteed an internship position, which is essential to complete their medical training and registration. The number of internship applications has exceeded and raised concerns about the number of internship positions since the early 2000s. In New South Wales (NSW), the internship application follows a priority list, in which medical graduates of NSW universities who are Australian/New Zealand citizens or Australian permanent residents are at the top of the priority system. International students within NSW medical schools are placed in the fourth category, which places the international graduates who plan to complete their medical qualification in Australia at significant risk.
Despite this, the number of new medical schools continue to rise in New South Wales, where there are 8 existing medical schools. A new addition of a new medical school in 2018 top up to 6 medical schools that accept international students. In addition, recent changes made to work visa conditions add more complexity to the experience and vocational training prospects of these students.
The first part of this presentation will summarise findings from a new international medical student survey by New South Wales Medical Students’ Council (NSWMSC), which is planned to launch in June. This survey will encourage international students in NSW to share their concerns and feelings about the prospects of internship and strategies that are helpful to them. This update aims to inform educators and student advocacy groups about the current climate amid the #interncrisis.
The second part will discuss the development and outcomes of an International Students Mentorship Program, which is a new initiative by NSWMSC since April. The program connects experienced international medical students with their juniors, in hope of supporting each other on their professional and personal development. The methodology and upcoming results will be discussed.
Biography:
Mr Henness Wong is committed to supporting international medical students in NSW, as the International Students Officer at New South Wales Medical Students’ Council (NSWMSC). Henness is also a second-year medical student studying at the University of Wollongong.
Henness is excited to return to ISANA Conference for the second time, after he was supported by the ISANA Student Bursary to attend ISANA/ANZSSA Conference 2017 in Gold Coast. Henness was a Finalist to the International Student of the Year Award in 2017 by StudyNSW.