The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and Bishop’s University Present a Common Front for Research

Attracting the Next Generation of Scientists to the Eastern Townships

Sherbrooke, September 11, 2015 – In an effort to ensure the continuum of programs in the health sciences, the Université de Sherbrooke and Bishop’s University renewed their research partnership. Unique in Quebec, this 5-year agreement gives undergraduate students in science at Bishop’s University the opportunity to acquire hands-on experience in science and research that will prepare them for undertaking graduate studies at the FMSS.

This partnership gives Bishop’s students access to research programs offered by the FMSS. In practical terms, Bishop’s University students carry out summer research internships at the FMSS. This past summer, 30 Bishop’s students took advantage of this opportunity, which is double the number from when the program first started three years ago. Bishop’s University students choose to stay in the Eastern Townships to pursue a master’s degree at the Université de Sherbrooke, which has lead to higher retention rates of students in the region. It is of interest to note that, in 2010 and 2011¬– that is, the period before the two-party agreement – the FMSS only had one Bishop’s University student who applied for and was admitted to a graduate program there. In 2013 and 2014, 5 and 7 Bishop’s students, respectively, enrolled in a master’s program at the FMSS.

Exploring Career Possibilities in the Health Sciences

All of the interns work in laboratories under the supervision of experienced researchers. In addition to exploring career possibilities in the health sciences, the students are in contact with professors and other high-caliber students. “Given the success of the first round, it was a natural decision to renew our agreement with Bishop’s University. It is an outstanding experience for future scientists,” stated Professor Jean-Pierre Perreault, Vice-Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the FMSS.

This opportunity also gives Bishop’s students in the Pre-Medicine program the chance to earn the prerequisites required for admission to the doctorate in medicine at the FMSS.

This partnership has also facilitated collaborative work between researchers at both institutions. “We have identified common fields of research and carried out interuniversity networking, enabling researchers to share their expertise. Some will soon become adjunct professors at the FMSS so as to contribute to the training of students there. This is a very interesting development,” pointed out Miles Turnbull, Vice-Principal Academic at Bishop’s University.

Another benefit of this partnership can be seen in its contribution to the Sherbrooke University Pole, which builds on the multidisciplinary expertise of its members and on the networks they belong to in order to heighten their development and influence. Furthermore, these two institutions arrived at this agreement as the result of a spirit of exchange and solidarity so as to promote the strategic growth and action of Sherbrooke, a university town, and thereby better serve the region, Quebec society, and its many international partners.

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For additional information :

Marie Gendron, Communications Officer
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences | Université de Sherbrooke
819-821-8000, ext. 72581 | Marie.Gendron@USherbrooke.ca

Chantal Sneath, Communications Officer
Bishop’s University
819-822-9600, ext. 2840 | chantal.sneath@ubishops.ca

Visit our Websites:
USherbrooke.ca/medecine and Ubishops.ca