President of Malawi visits Royal College

24 Apr 2018

Accompanied by Her Excellency Gertrude Maseko the First Lady of Malawi and Dr Alasdair Allan, the Scottish Government’s Minister for International Development and Europe, the visit (which took place on Monday 23rd April) was the first in a programme of events in Scotland this week.

The College and Malawi have had a long history of ties, dating back to David Livingstone’s first expeditions to Africa in the 19th century. A number of David Livingstone’s first edition publications are held in the library at the College alongside a wide variety of Livingstone’s surgical instruments and his medical degree which was granted by this institution in 1840. As part of his tour of the College, His Excellency the President received a presentation on a selection of these artefacts by Mr Neil Wilson, Dr Livingstone’s great-great grandson.

Collaboration continues to develop today with a variety of projects in Malawi. A group of fellows briefed the President on the work in their area of expertise which includes:

• Endoscopy training in Mzuzu, Malawi
• Burns prevention work
• The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow Livingstone fellowships
• The plans to develop undergraduate dental training in Malawi

Professor David Galloway, President of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons said:

“We are delighted to welcome the President to our College. Our connections with Malawi are strong, while they started with David Livingstone but continues now with the involvement of many of our members. We recognise the value of international volunteering and global citizenship and so we are committed to continue this long tradition and to encourage to develop collaboration with colleagues in Malawi into the future.”

Categories: Engagement, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion