Facilitating knowledge exchange between The Gambia Medical School and Swansea University.
What is Swansea Gambia Link?
Swansea Gambia Link is an organisation, ran jointly by students at Swansea University and The Gambia Medical School. It was founded in 2007 with the aim to raise standards of healthcare provision in The Gambia and Wales through providing training opportunities for students and facilitating knowledge exchange between the two institutions which promote improvements in healthcare delivery. We are currently applying for charitable status, which we aim to achieve in 2025.
Exchange Programme
An annual exchange programme between students from The Gambia Medical School and Swansea Medical School.
E-Learning
A range of online teaching resources for the benefit of students in Swansea and The Gambia.
Non-Profit Support
Our exchange programme facilitates work with non-profits committed to healthcare improvement in The Gambia.
What are our Charitable Objectives?
#1. Advancement of Medical Education
The Link aims to facilitate the advance the medical education of future doctors from Swansea and The Gambia through organisation of the exchange; allowing students from each country to experience clinical placements, lectures, seminars, and other medical and cultural teaching. Education is our core mission, enabling us to train doctors for the future of both countries.
Swansea Gambia Link fundraises year-round to raise funds for the Gambian students’ exchange to Wales (including but not limited to: travel expenses, accommodation, educational resources, and more).
#2. Cultural Exchange
To advance citizenship and community development by promoting cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and international cooperation.
Investing in cultural exchange for healthcare professionals is crucial, ensuring a diverse, knowledgeable workforce for the future. We believe cultural exchange creates well rounded doctors who will provide greater care for the future generation.
#3. Relieving financial hardship
To relieve financial hardship by enabling students from The Gambia to take part in educational and exchange programmes who would not otherwise be able to afford to do so.
Knowledge sharing across cultures allows students and faculty to exchange diverse medical practices and skills as practitioners. We aim to provide these opportunities to those who would not otherwise have access to opportunities like this.
Student Profiles from Past Exchanges
Nfama, 2024 Exchange
Nfama came to Swansea during his 6th year at the University of The Gambia.
“We all want to be part of Swansea Gambia Link, and want to explore what is here. We have been practicing in a low-income country and some of the resources we don’t have access to. For some technologies, we know they exist but the first time we actually get to see and use them is when we come to Swansea.”
Jabou, 2024 Exchange
Jabou came to Swansea during her final year at The University of The Gambia.
“The Swansea Gambia Link is something that we should put all our effort into. I think it’s so important to exchange ideas, exchange culture, and exchange knowledge. I think it’s important, and I want to encourage people to take part as much as possible.”
Mariam, 2024 Exchange
Mariam came to Swansea during her final year at The University of The Gambia.
“While I’m here I want to see everything – the placements, the hospitals, the practical skills sessions, the labs, technically everything! I’m so excited to be here.”
Sponsorship and Grants
We are currently looking for sponsors to help raise funds to allow us to create educational opportunities for more Gambian Medical Students. If you would like to sponsor or support Swansea Gambia Link, in any capacity, please contact us.
Click on the images below to find out more:
The 2026 Exchange is currently being planned. See what we have planned.
Support our mission!
Swansea Gambia Link is committed to improving healthcare provision in both
The Gambia and Wales through shared learning opportunities and supporting non-profits.