With the growing demand for healthcare professionals who are adaptable, empathetic, and culturally aware, universities are transforming their approach to medical education. They are now focused on training doctors and nurses who can navigate the complexities of global health, offering care that is as compassionate as it is effective. This new era of education is shaping a generation of healthcare leaders who are prepared to meet the challenges of a connected world.
UniCamillus International Medical University, based in Rome since 2017, stands at the forefront of this shift. With a mission to train healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds, UniCamillus combines state-of-the-art medical training with a deep commitment to human dignity. The university emphasizes real-world experience and cultural sensitivity, preparing its students to make a meaningful impact in healthcare systems across the globe.
Founded with two core objectives, UniCamillus International Medical University aims to welcome students from across the globe and to train highly qualified medical professionals who can apply their expertise in challenging environments. Since its inception, it has enabled hundreds of young individuals, especially from underprivileged nations, to acquire vital skills and knowledge that help improve living conditions back in their home countries.
At the same time, the university has fostered a multicultural environment that enhances the educational experience for students, both from Italy and abroad, while offering numerous opportunities to build their careers within Italy or internationally.
UniCamillus draws its inspiration from the legacy of Saint Camillus De Lellis, a visionary who, in the late 16th century, established foundational principles for effective healthcare. His emphasis on patient respect and dignity continues to be recognized globally. Despite this historical influence, the university maintains a secular identity, welcoming students from all faiths. Looking ahead, the institution remains committed to training healthcare professionals who prioritize human values and the well-being of their patients.
Its research initiatives and financial investments reflect this dedication, focusing on addressing widespread health issues, particularly in regions facing the most critical challenges worldwide.
One key aspect of the education provided by UniCamillus is its interdisciplinary focus. The courses offered are designed following interprofessional education models, long advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO). There is ongoing academic collaboration between students and tutors across different programs. This approach aims to develop professionals who, once in the workplace, are prepared to work effectively as part of a team, contributing to optimal patient care.
Another significant feature of the curriculum is the innovative teaching method, which combines theoretical knowledge with clinical practice from the early stages of the program rather than reserving practical experience for the final years.
Additionally, many courses here are conducted in English, reflecting the institution’s commitment to preparing professionals capable of applying their skills worldwide. At the same time, Italian language courses are available for international students, ensuring they have the necessary linguistic competence to engage with colleagues during their internships in Italy.
UniCamillus is equipped with state-of-the-art multimedia classrooms and laboratories. The entire campus has been thoughtfully designed to integrate the latest teaching methods. Within this environment, students have the opportunity to engage in various medical simulations across different laboratories, allowing them to acquire and refine practical skills in a safe and controlled setting.
Among all its projects, UniCamillus has been running a campaign in collaboration with local schools in Rome to raise awareness and teach proper oral hygiene practices for several years.
Under the guidance of tutors, dental students visit primary and middle school classes, offering advice on oral health to children, teenagers, and their families. Although mistrust, fear, and reluctance are common, the professionalism of the faculty, the enthusiasm of the students, and the emphasis on patience and building human relationships have led to unexpectedly positive outcomes. The children and teenagers involved ultimately expressed great enthusiasm for the initiative.
Looking at the university’s broader achievements, two significant milestones in the past year were the opening of new campuses, in addition to the one in Rome—one in Venice and another in Cefalù, Sicily. Both cities, famous tourist destinations, had no prior medical school presence. These new campuses have provided opportunities for many young people who aspired to study medicine, allowing them to pursue their dreams without relocating. Local institutions and authorities recognized the importance of the project and supported its success.
Students at UniCamillus have access to a broad range of services designed to support them in various aspects of their lives. These services include counselling, assistance for individuals with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), and a baby card for new mothers, among others.
The services are either provided directly by UniCamillus or arranged through partnerships with external organizations. Additionally, through the activities of Unilife, numerous events and initiatives are organized to encourage social interaction and foster a sense of community among students. The UniSport leisure association also offers opportunities for students to participate in various sporting events, enriching their university experience.
UniCamillus maintains several bodies dedicated to promoting and safeguarding diversity, inclusion, mutual respect, and the rights of all its members. Among these is the Student Community Officer, tasked with gathering student requests and suggestions to continuously improve the overall experience.
Additionally, the Officer reports on and, when needed, calls for action in critical situations. Another key entity is the Equal Opportunities Committee, which actively fosters a culture of equality and opportunity, combats any form of violence or discrimination and works to enhance the university’s organizational well-being. With its inclusive mission, the university welcomes students from various cultures, creating a natural environment that encourages respect for diversity.
According to Almalaurea statistics, which focus on Italy, graduates from UniCamillus tend to have better prospects for entering the labor market, often securing employment within a year of graduation and achieving higher salaries than the national average.
The university is dedicated to enhancing students’ skills throughout their studies by fostering a collaborative relationship with their teachers, creating lasting synergies that extend beyond the academic program. Several students have had their dissertations or other research published in leading scientific journals, and some have even had the opportunity to attend and participate in prestigious international conferences alongside their lecturers.
One particularly notable instance involved a student from the MSc Medicine and Surgery program, who, just a few months ago, saved a life on the street by recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack and administering first aid while waiting for an ambulance. The story garnered media attention, although the student requested to remain completely anonymous, a decision the university fully respected.
Several tutors at UniCamillus have been recognized with awards for their outstanding research, with the support of the university. For example, Roberta Lione’s research in orthodontics has twice earned her the Align Technology Award, contributing to the university securing three scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year. Another faculty member, Giuseppina Laganà, was honored at the Taobuk International Book Festival for her research on Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS).
Additionally, the university has been acknowledged by the European Union as part of the NextGenerationEU Transnational Education Initiatives for its significant contribution to the Integrated Transcultural Educational Synergy in Health Sciences. This project will offer programs in nursing, physiotherapy, orthopaedics, and psychology across Cameroon, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Lastly, the university has secured the largest portion of funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) among Italian universities.
When giving advice to students, Gianni Profita, Rector at UniCamillus, expresses that there is no single formula that stands above the rest. According to him, what truly matters is believing in a project and seeing it through to its conclusion in order to witness the results.
Despite being a young institution, the university has achieved significant growth in just a few years. This success stems from the commitment to empower new generations with the opportunity to engage with diverse cultures and environments while offering a vision of medical science that always respects human dignity.
Profita emphasized that, no matter the challenges, the institution will continue to seek new, stimulating opportunities to grow as an academic community.
In Italy, UniCamillus certainly wants to continue to grow and become a reference point for the training of new medical professionals. The new UniCamillus campuses in Venice and Cefalù are significant milestones in this journey.
Additionally, several international projects are in the works. One upcoming initiative stands out: a new partnership with Libya’s Emergency Medicine and Support Centre (EMSC), in collaboration with Policlinico Di Liegro, will soon launch an MSc in Traumatology in Tripoli.
The program’s objective is to train medical personnel to work in highly critical environments, like the current situation in Libya. Specialized medical staff, including experts in surgery, orthopaedics, clinical medicine, and anaesthesia, will travel to Tripoli to lead courses in emergency medicine and provide training to Libyan healthcare professionals.
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