Announcing COMS-A SHINE: Supporting Her in Nurturing Excellence
Women’s Leadership Academy to Transform Health Professions Education in Africa
Become a Regional Training Center for COMS-A Faculty Development Academy
The Consortium of Medical Schools in Africa is delighted to announce the launch of the Faculty Development Academy Initiative under the SHARP-Africa Project.
COMS-A Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Research Mentorship Program
Announcing COMS-A SHINE: Supporting Her in Nurturing Excellence
Women’s Leadership Academy to Transform Health Professions Education in Africa
Become a Regional Training Center for COMS-A Faculty Development Academy
The Consortium of Medical Schools in Africa is delighted to announce the launch of the Faculty Development Academy Initiative under the SHARP-Africa Project.
Members
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African Countries
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Deans of Medical Schools
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Geographic Coverage of COMS-A Membership
The Consortium of Medical Schools–Africa (COMS-A) was launched on March 25, 2025, during the Advancing Medical Education in Africa Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. It is a unified, African-led initiative formed by medical education leaders to address the continent’s healthcare and education challenges. COMS-A fosters collaboration, resource-sharing, and best practice exchange in medical education, research, and healthcare delivery. Its mission is to develop a socially accountable medical workforce to meet Africa’s unique health needs. The University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda serves as its secretariat.
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Inquiries
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FAQs
Common Questions About Our COMS-A
What is the primary goal of COMS-A?
COMS-A’s primary goal is to unite
Africa’s medical schools to transform medical education through
collaborative leadership, innovation, equity, and accountability, ultimately
strengthening healthcare systems and improving health outcomes across
the continent.
Who is eligible for full membership?
Full membership is open to all
recognized and accredited public, private, or not-for-profit medical
schools/colleges in Africa that issue medical degrees (MBBS, MD, MBChB,
MMED, fellowships, or equivalent qualifications).
What are the key aims of the Consortium?
The key aims of COMS-A
include serving as a unifying organization for African medical schools,
focusing on the quality and relevance of medical education, promoting
quality leadership, striving for relevant research and innovation, fostering
global health partnerships, encouraging resource sharing, promoting
standardization of medical education, and ensuring African medical
education aligns with community health needs.
Where is the registered office of COMS-A located?
The temporary
registered office of COMS-A is located at the University of Global Health
Equity in Rwanda until a permanent location is agreed upon.
How often are the Annual General Meetings (AGM) held?
There shall
be at least one Annual General Meeting of the members each year. The
Executive Committee can also call for additional general meetings as
needed or upon written request by at least 10% of the membership.
Who governs COMS-A?
The governing body of COMS-A is the Executive
Committee (EC), which is responsible for leading and executing the
functions of the Consortium. The EC comprises elected members and
chairs of standing committees.
How can I stay informed about COMS-A’s activities?
You can stay
informed about COMS-A’s activities by regularly visiting the “News &
Events” section of our website and by subscribing to our newsletter for email
updates.
Does COMS-A have a code of ethics for its members?
Yes, COMS-A
members are expected to adhere to the highest standards of ethics in
medical education, clinical practice, and research. COMS-A will establish a
code of ethics to guide behavior, foster integrity, and uphold professionalism
across all activities.
How can my institution become a member?
Interested institutions can
find detailed information about membership criteria and the application
process on the “Become a Member” section of our website, where an
application form and contact details for inquiries are provided.
What are the different standing committees and their focus areas?
COMS-A operates through six standing committees: Finance, Audit
and Compliance, Education and Curriculum, Advocacy and Partnerships,
Leadership and Professional Development, and Research and Innovations.
Each committee focuses on specific areas aligned with COMS-A’s strategic
objectives.
What are the benefits of joining COMS-A?
Membership in COMS-A
offers numerous benefits, including opportunities for collaboration,
networking with medical education leaders across Africa, contributing to
policy discussions, accessing shared resources, participating in capacity-
building initiatives, and enhancing your institution’s visibility.
How does COMS-A ensure representation from across Africa?
COMS-
A ensures representation from all African regions through the composition
of its Executive Committee and the standing committees, with specific
attention to linguistic representation and gender inclusion. The Chairs of the
standing committees represent each of the five African regions (according
to the World Bank classification).
What is COMS-A doing to support women in medical education leadership?
COMS-A is establishing an African Women in Medical
Education Leadership Forum to promote women in high-level medical
school positions, provide mentorship opportunities, and offer career
guidance.
What are COMS-A’s plans for curriculum harmonization?
COMS-A is
collaborating with WHO AFRO to support its continental curriculum
harmonization initiative, aiming to align medical training with regional health
needs, promote competency-based education, and ensure quality and
consistency across institutions.
What is the Advancing Medical Education in Africa Annual Conference?
COMS-A’s primary goal is to unite
Africa’s medical schools to transform medical education through
collaborative leadership, innovation, equity, and accountability, ultimately
strengthening healthcare systems and improving health outcomes across
the continent.
Full membership is open to all
recognized and accredited public, private, or not-for-profit medical
schools/colleges in Africa that issue medical degrees (MBBS, MD, MBChB,
MMED, fellowships, or equivalent qualifications).
The key aims of COMS-A
include serving as a unifying organization for African medical schools,
focusing on the quality and relevance of medical education, promoting
quality leadership, striving for relevant research and innovation, fostering
global health partnerships, encouraging resource sharing, promoting
standardization of medical education, and ensuring African medical
education aligns with community health needs.
The temporary
registered office of COMS-A is located at the University of Global Health
Equity in Rwanda until a permanent location is agreed upon.
There shall
be at least one Annual General Meeting of the members each year. The
Executive Committee can also call for additional general meetings as
needed or upon written request by at least 10% of the membership.
The governing body of COMS-A is the Executive
Committee (EC), which is responsible for leading and executing the
functions of the Consortium. The EC comprises elected members and
chairs of standing committees.
You can stay
informed about COMS-A’s activities by regularly visiting the “News &
Events” section of our website and by subscribing to our newsletter for email
updates.
Yes, COMS-A
members are expected to adhere to the highest standards of ethics in
medical education, clinical practice, and research. COMS-A will establish a
code of ethics to guide behavior, foster integrity, and uphold professionalism
across all activities.
Interested institutions can
find detailed information about membership criteria and the application
process on the “Become a Member” section of our website, where an
application form and contact details for inquiries are provided.
COMS-A operates through six standing committees: Finance, Audit
and Compliance, Education and Curriculum, Advocacy and Partnerships,
Leadership and Professional Development, and Research and Innovations.
Each committee focuses on specific areas aligned with COMS-A’s strategic
objectives.
Membership in COMS-A
offers numerous benefits, including opportunities for collaboration,
networking with medical education leaders across Africa, contributing to
policy discussions, accessing shared resources, participating in capacity-
building initiatives, and enhancing your institution’s visibility.
COMS-
A ensures representation from all African regions through the composition
of its Executive Committee and the standing committees, with specific
attention to linguistic representation and gender inclusion. The Chairs of the
standing committees represent each of the five African regions (according
to the World Bank classification).
COMS-A is establishing an African Women in Medical
Education Leadership Forum to promote women in high-level medical
school positions, provide mentorship opportunities, and offer career
guidance.
COMS-A is
collaborating with WHO AFRO to support its continental curriculum
harmonization initiative, aiming to align medical training with regional health
needs, promote competency-based education, and ensure quality and
consistency across institutions.
