New system to fast track clinicians

Detangling the degree path: Prof Bongani Mayosi and students on a ward round.

Why do US scientists dominate as Nobel Prize-winners in medicine? Professor Bongani Mayosi, head of UCT's Department of Medicine, believes intercalated MBChB/PhD degrees may be the answer.

This fast track system, now being implemented at UCT, "detangles" the degree path for top students, enabling them to take a break from their MBChBs to complete an intensive honours, master's or doctoral research programme, before returning to complete their medical degrees.

"This system allows us to catch students while they're still young, and embed a culture of research in them," says Mayosi.