The ambition of the College of Medicine (CoM), University of Malawi, to establish the first Bachelor of Dental Surgery course in Malawi was initially shared with the University of Glasgow during a visit in 2015 by a delegation involved in early discussions on the Scottish Government – funded Blantyre-Blantyre project. Jeremy Bagg, the Head of Glasgow Dental School was subsequently invited to become an adviser on the project.
JB is also a Vice-Dean of the Dental Faculty of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow (RCPSG) and a member of its Global Health Group. This group focuses on delivering medical education in Malawi and, with its substantial experience, recognises establishment of a BDS course as a priority.
The RCPSG funded flights for JB to visit dental facilities in Malawi and to participate in a curriculum conference with key players from the CoM, Malawi Ministry of Health, Dental Association of Malawi and Medical Council of Malawi during September 2017.