About Alexandria Medical Students Research Association

I. Definition.

The “Alexandria Medical Students' Research Association” is a non-profit association concerned with all research activity of undergraduate students in the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University.

II. Mission Statement.

The Mission of the “Alexandria Medical Students' Research Association” is to encourage increased participation of undergraduate students in research activities and to coordinate research activities between students, postgraduates and the academic staff, with the ultimate aim of increasing the research output of our Faculty.

III. Goals.

1. Increasing the participation of undergraduate students in research projects.
2. Improvement of research skills amongst undergraduate students.
3. Preparing undergraduate students for their postgraduate studies through their early exposure to research activity.
4. Increasing communication between the students and their teaching staff and postgraduate researchers.
5. Giving the opportunity to medical students to showcase their skills and abilities in research.
6. Assisting postgraduate researchers in finding suitable assistants amongst the undergraduate student population.
7. Improving the supervision of the teaching faculty on the research activities of their students.
8. Facilitating gradual integration of research activities into the undergraduate formal curriculum.
9. Facilitating the proposal of new research ideas from undergraduate students.
10. Deepening investigation into medical education issues in our school, with the aim of continued improvement in undergraduate medical education.

IV. Projects and Activities.

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1. Monthly meeting
A monthly meeting will be arranged and agreed upon between the members of the Association.
The proceedings of this meeting will include discussion of:
1. Reports received from head of departments revolving around current research activity in the respective departments.
2. Research ideas and interests of undergraduate students
3. Research proposals presented by students to the Association
4. Student presentations
5. Voting issues regarding any decisions concerning future projects of the Association

2. Website.
A website for the association is to be designed and published.
The preliminary purpose of the website could be described in the following points:
1. Academic staff and postgraduate researchers interested in contacting undergraduate students interested in research should be able to register and login, and hence publish their current research activity.
2. Students interested in research should be also able to register for accounts and login, and hence could also publish their research interests, ideas or proposals.
3. The site then should act as a link between undergraduates, postgraduates and the teaching faculty.

3. Periodical Workshops.
The members of the Association should organize workshops, concerned with teaching undergraduates the basic skills of Research works (for example: “How to write a research proposal?”), by agreeing with members of the teaching staff interested in holding such workshops.

4. Summer Undergraduate Research Program.
The association will plan and organize a “Summer Undergraduate Research Program” elective for interested undergraduate students who would like to join a postgraduate researcher and assist in his research during their free time in the summer vacation.

5. Cooperative Research.
When there are undergraduate students involved, the association should further explore the possibilities of cooperative research between the Faculty of Medicine and other faculties and universities.

6. Student-Exchange “Research” programs.
With coordination and supervision of the Faculty Administration and the Students Affairs administration, the association should further explore the possibilities of hosting 'alien' students interested in short-term research work in our Faculty, and likewise for local students in Alexandria interested in doing research work in other Universities in Egypt or abroad.

7. Journal Club.
a. Monthly meeting of interested students to review latest articles published in medical journals
b. Presentations to review latest published medical advances and breakthroughs
c. Teach students how to search online periodicals and journal databases e.g. PUBMED etc.

8. Annual Conference.
An annual conference will be organized
i. reviewing activities of the association during the year
ii. showcase achievements of the association during the year
iii. discussing a draft proposal for next year's plans
iv. honorary prizes research projects

V. Hierarchy and Roles.

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A. Chairman Supervisors
- Vice-Dean of the Faculty for Education and Students affairs
- Vice-Dean of the Faculty for Postgraduate Research

Their job is to review the progress and achievements of the Association with the board of directors and supervise the association's activities.

B. Board of Directors.
Four members should be on the board of directors of the Association:

• 1. President
• 2. Vice-President 
• 3. Research Coordinator
  Their job includes:
  • Meeting with the heads of departments to inquire about recent research activity in each department.
  • Maintaining the Association's website.
  • Discussing student research issues, with the student committees, the secretary and student-researchers, in the periodical meetings.
  • Periodical review with the Chairman (the Vice-Dean of the Faculty for Students affairs)
  

• 4. Secretary
  This important role will be held by one student and should be concerned with:
  ◦ Assisting the board of directors and the members of the student committees in their respective jobs.
  ◦ Arranging for the periodical meetings and organizing the proceedings of the meetings.
  ◦ Assisting in any paperwork that may be required
  

C. Staff Advisoral Board.
Selected members of the staff will join the association as advisoral board to guide the various student activities and initiatives.

D. Student Committees.
There will be six committees, one for every year of undergraduate study.
Membership of this committee will be held by two or three students, as representatives of the students of the corresponding year, including participation of the International and French Program(s).