The Egyptian Doctors’ Syndicate has raised concerns over the admission of students to two medical schools affiliated with an international university from an Eastern European country, with admission scores reportedly starting at 50%.
The warning comes as the local university admission process begins for Egyptian Thanaweya Amma students, amid indications of a slight increase in admission scores compared with last year.
Doctors’ Syndicate Calls for Egyptian Admission Standards
The Egyptian Doctors’ Syndicate said it had received information regarding admission rules at two medical schools that reportedly allow students to enroll with scores starting at 50%.
The syndicate expressed serious concern over the issue, particularly amid its repeated calls to stop the uncontrolled expansion of medical schools and ensure that new admissions comply with standards guaranteeing the quality of medical education and clinical training.
Why Is the Syndicate Concerned About Low Medical Admission Scores?
The syndicate believes that allowing students to enter medical schools with significantly lower scores raises concerns about the quality of education and training they may receive, particularly when adequate educational and clinical facilities are not available.
It also stressed that admission rules applied in the country where the university is based cannot justify applying foreign standards to medical education conducted inside Egypt.
According to the syndicate, Egyptian regulations should apply to all medical schools operating within Egyptian territory, regardless of their ownership, nationality, or legal status.
Official Request to the Prime Minister and Higher Education Minister
The Egyptian Doctors’ Syndicate formally addressed Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Higher Education Abdel Aziz Kansoah, calling for urgent intervention.
The syndicate requested that the medical schools in question be required to comply with the minimum admission score applied to private medical schools in Egypt, without exceptions.
It also called for verifying that these institutions meet all requirements related to clinical training and have an educational university hospital capable of providing students with proper practical training.
Warning Against Uncontrolled Expansion of Medical Schools
Abdel Rahman Mostafa, a member of the Egyptian Doctors’ Syndicate Council, said the syndicate had repeatedly warned against the expansion of newly established medical schools that accept students with low admission scores.
He explained that some recently established institutions admit students with scores significantly below the usual medical school admission threshold.
One of the main concerns, according to Mostafa, is whether these institutions have affiliated university hospitals capable of providing adequate clinical training.
He stressed that uncontrolled expansion of medical schools without studying educational requirements or providing university hospitals could negatively affect the quality of medical education and the reputation of Egyptian doctors.
Possible Difficulties With Medical Licensing
Mostafa warned that students enrolled in medical schools with extremely low admission scores could face difficulties in the future regarding professional licensing or registration with the Doctors’ Syndicate.
He explained that the minimum admission score remains a subject of significant debate, noting that private medical schools accepting students with a difference of around 5% from the minimum threshold are in a different position from institutions accepting students with much larger differences.
Higher Education Ministry Reviewing the Complaint
A source at the Ministry of Higher Education told Sky News Arabia that the ministry is currently reviewing the Doctors’ Syndicate’s complaint regarding admission scores at some medical schools.
The source added that if any violations are confirmed, the necessary legal and administrative measures will be taken.
Doctors’ Syndicate Sets Conditions for Medical Graduates
The Doctors’ Syndicate had previously warned against registering medical graduates from schools inside or outside Egypt if they had been admitted with scores below the limits set by the syndicate.
The syndicate requires that the difference between a student’s Thanaweya Amma score and the minimum admission score for Egyptian public medical schools in the year the student obtained the secondary school certificate must not exceed 5%.
The syndicate has emphasized that students holding academic degrees from institutions whose admission requirements fall below this threshold will not be accepted for registration under its announced regulations.
Can medical schools in Egypt admit students with a score of 50%?
The Doctors’ Syndicate raised concerns after receiving information about admission rules at two medical schools reportedly allowing admission with scores starting at 50%, and called for verification of their compliance with Egyptian regulations.
What did the Doctors’ Syndicate request from the Ministry of Higher Education?
The syndicate requested enforcement of Egypt’s minimum medical school admission requirements and verification that the institutions meet all educational and clinical training standards.
Why does the syndicate require university hospitals?
Clinical training is an essential part of medical education, and students need qualified medical facilities where they can receive practical training under appropriate supervision.
Could graduates of some medical schools face registration difficulties?
The syndicate warned that students admitted to medical schools with extremely low scores could potentially face future difficulties related to professional licensing or registration with the Doctors’ Syndicate.
What is the 5% rule mentioned by the Doctors’ Syndicate?
The syndicate has stated that the difference between a student’s Thanaweya Amma score and the minimum admission score for Egyptian public medical schools in the year of graduation should not exceed 5%.
