Qatar University (QU) Health Interprofessional Education (IPE) Committee, the Interprofessional Education Students’ Association in Qatar collaborated with Saint Louis University (SLU) to host the second international virtual debate with the motion ‘Governments should temporarily restrict international tourism in response to the second wave of Covid-19 transmission.’ The virtual event had over 700 views on QU YouTube channel and WebEx platform.
QU vice president for Medical and Health Sciences and dean of the College of Medicine Dr Egon Toft welcomed the audience. He said, “It is a great initiative to have this debate going global. The topic discussed is crucial to understand and see different perspectives in students regarding Covid-19. There are new data every week regarding Covid-19. Things seem to get better, or things fall behind; therefore, it is imperative to see everything from different angles.”
Dr Tricia Austin, interim dean of SLU’s Doisy College of Health Sciences, shared her gratitude for the organisation of the debate and the importance of such event in the current period.
“The virtual IPE debate is a wonderful opportunity for students to debate topics that have high salience across healthcare disciplines and cultures. We are very grateful to be included in such an event that permits students to engage in skills and critical thinking necessary to provide optimal future care,” she noted.
The debate was moderated by the former president of the IPE Student Association Sawsan AlMukdad. Members of the affirmative side from Qatar included QU Pharmacy student Rouaa Elhani, QU Medical student Ahmed Daniyal Nawaz, and University of Calgary- Qatar nursing student, Dianne Bautista.
Members of the team from the US included SLU public health PhD candidate, Kemba Noel-London, SLU athletic training student, Eldwin Neritani, and SLU public health student, Lauren Fox. The debate followed a format where each student was given 5 minutes for a speech, a 2-minute caucus and a chance for a cross examination from the opposing team. The audience were allowed to ask questions directed to the teams after the debate and the judges gave their recommendations and feedback for both teams.
 
 
Related Story