Washington University of Barbados


The Washington University of Barbados was established in 2016 and was granted charter from the Ministry of Education of Barbados during the same year. The university claimed to be devoted to preparing and educating students from across the globe to become professional doctors, but has been named as part of an international medical school scam. Both Dr. Rap and Mr. Dalchand have been arrested and charged before the Magistrates Court at District C in Barbados. Both are charged that they defrauded Casa Grande Hotel in St Philip; Furniture Ltd and Builders Mart. These are all businesses owned Mrs Ram Merchandani the owner of Casa Grande Hotel; the campus of the University. The charges arose when cheques tendered for services by these companies were dishonoured by the bank. The sums of monies are in excess of $300000.00 BDS. Both men are remanded in prison in Barbados awaiting hearing. They are set to
reappear on Monday 22 September 2018.

Courses

Washington University of Barbados is one of the few universities that implements the elements for USMLE within its curriculum.

Basic science

During 5 trimesters, students will be introduced to the fundamental knowledge and skills of Preclinical Medicine and USMLE Step I Course. The core subjects are Physiology, Biochemistry, Medical Pathology and Anatomy. Basic Science program is designed to meet the health care needs of the society and lasts two years.

Pre-medical sciences

Pre-medical Science is made available to students who have completed twelve years of study but need to obtain 120 credits to qualify for medical school. It includes Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Advanced Biology, Biochemistry and Community Medicine are introduced later in the program to provide students with a head start for USMLE preparation. The timeline of the course is two years. Additionally many of the students at this university have not taken the NEET examination in India. This examination is compulsory for any Indian national wishing to study the MBBS programme. These students in an effort to avoid this examination ran abroad to study. Herein lies the opportunity that fostered this fraudulent medical school.

Clinical rotations

Clinical Rotations are taught over a period of two years in the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom. The subjects include Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery and OB/GYN. Students who successfully complete these courses are then eligible to take elective rotations of clinical disciplines.

Campus

The campus is 2,000 square meters with a 400-seat auditorium. It features a library, fitness center, student lounge, onsite dining and banking. There are computer labs and 19 classrooms.

Accommodation

Students expected access to one of 100 units with en-suite bathroom for students living on campus. The occupancy for these rooms are 5 students per room. Each room is equipped with internet. There are 30 additional units for off-campus living, only 5-minutes walking distance from the campus. All off-campus units are available to students at an affordable rate and include a bed, internet connection, Direct-TV, A/C, en-suite bathroom, large and small kitchen appliances.
However, they were hosted at the Casa Grande Hotel, previously under fire for its treatment of Nigerian students, and were without water or electricity for at least 5 months.

Accreditation

Washington University of Barbados remains unaccredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions, the United States Department of Education's National Committee on Foreign Medical Education Accreditation, or any other body empowered to certify medical schools in the region.
It had claimed to be recognised by the Ministry of Health Barbados, FAIMER Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research, WHO World Health Organization, IMED International Medical Education Directory and MCI Medical Council of India, Ministry of Education, Government of Barbados, Global Alliance For Medical Education, Canadian Association for Medical Education, Association for Medical Education in Europe, World Federation for Medical Education, International Association of Medical Science Educators, Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators, Association of Standardized Patient Educators, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, World Medical Association.

Medical program

Washington University of Barbados offers a 4-year Doctor of Medicine program for college graduates and a 5.5 years Doctor of Medicine program for high school graduates which includes Pre-medical program, Basic Sciences Program, and Clinical Rotations/Sciences. The Pre-Medical and the Basic Sciences program is taught at WUB, Barbados, and Clinical Rotations are practiced either at WUB, Barbados or in the USA.
Washington University of Barbados accepts students internationally three times per year: January, May, and September. Students are required to take the MCAT to study at WUB. The students at WUB attend all portions of the USMLE United States Medical Licensing Examination, with practicing in the USA is the main end goal.

Legal troubles

Police escorted chief executive officer of the Washington University of Barbados, Gopi Venkat off the University's premises on the 5th of October 2018.
This action occurred just after a meeting with officials from the welfare and labour departments along with the Ministry of Education.
Minister of Elder Affairs and People Empowerment Cynthia Forde confirmed to NationNews that the authorities were looking into the matter and conducting their own fact checking.
Earlier that week some students took their plight to the Ministry of Education. After hearing their concerns Prime Minister Mia Mottley instructed a team to investigate the living conditions. Initial investigations revealed that the electricity and the water were off for the past five months among other issues. Forde gave the assurance that Government would be looking into how best they could assist the students.