​Faculty-Student Mentorship Programme for MBBS Students (Years 1 and 2)​

Programme Objectives:

  • Promote interaction between faculty and students outside academic settings
  • Facilitate students in their adjustment period
  • Guide and advise for enhancement of mentees' academic performance
  • Facilitate students in making better career decisions
  • Build and expand students' professional networks
  • Guide in scholarly activities and finding research opportunities
  • Promote critical competencies in the students, e.g., professional integrity, leadership, teamwork and compassion

Faculty mentors are expected to achieve these objectives through group meetings, one-to-one discussions and role modelling.

Desired Outcomes:

  • Improved communication between faculty mentors and student mentees so that the students feel bonded to and comfortable in reaching out to their mentors 
  • Mentees report better academic performance and well-being in classrooms and labs.
  • Better student adjustment by easing stress through timely encouragement and guidance
  • Students feel supported in finding research opportunities and connecting benefits to other faculty members.
  • Mentees adopt a more active role to derive benefit from their mentorship experience.

​These outcomes would be evaluated biannually through feedback surveys from mentors and mentees.​

​Role of the Mentor:

  • Faculty mentors would be expected to:
  • Be available during scheduled meeting times.
  • Guide mentees about undergraduate medical curriculum, campus facilities and systems.
  • Offer guidance on psychosocial issues and critical professional competencies
  • Facilitate mentees in achieving their academic goals, e.g., by assisting in prioritizing tasks
  • Offer emotional support during a personal crisis and make appropriate referrals as required
  • Provide feedback and advice on research opportunities and scholarly writing
  • Keep the sessions on track and conclude them by setting mutually agreed action points
  • Assure outcomes are met during the mentoring process
  • Be willing to reassess performance and follow through with the mentoring commitment

Structure and Process:

  • Each mentor would be assigned three to four students from each year​.
  • One-to-one mandatory meetings between mentors and mentees would be scheduled for the first-year students, while the second-year students would be expected to reach out to their mentor's on-need basis.
  • First-year mentees could request their mentors for additional meetings before their scheduled appointment.
  • Mentees would be responsible for preparing an agenda before one-to-one meetings.
  • WhatsApp groups would be formed for continued interaction between mentors and mentees.
  • Opportunities for informal interaction between mentors and mentees would be provided once in the beginning for ice-breaking and once again during the year through an initial fun event, e.g., musical or sports evening, friendly matches, etc.
  • Initial workshop will be conducted at the beginning of the programme to help faculty mentors get familiar with roles and responsibilities of a mentor, discuss fears and expectations and practice supportive communication.
  • The Vice-chair UGME curriculum committee, year 1 and 2 chairs, class representatives of both years, the Manager of Student Affairs and Services, and the Associate Director of Counselling Services and Wellness Office would be formed to discuss programme-related every quarter recommendations as needed. This committee will meet on a quarterly basis. 
  • The Counselling Services and Wellness Office and the Student Affairs and Services Manager would oversee activities and programme coordination.