Quarterly Virtual Meetings Unite the OUM Community
A medical university with a primarily virtual pre-clinical program makes it impossible to gather everyone in an auditorium, so the Oceania University of Medicine (OUM) holds quarterly University-Wide Meetings via Zoom. These interactive gatherings bring together students, professional staff, faculty, and graduates from around the world to share important updates and announcements.
The meetings cover a range of topics, including curriculum changes, introductions of new faculty members, additions to clinical placement sites, updates on student support services, and research highlights.
2025 and 2026 University-Wide Meeting Dates
In 2025, University-Wide Meetings were held on 23/24 January, 10/11 April, and 24/25 July, with the final meeting scheduled for 6/7 November. Meeting dates for 2026 are scheduled for 29/30 January, 16/17 April, 30/31 July, and 29/30 October.
Student Engagement and Participation
“Before each meeting, students are invited to submit questions for the Q&A session, and they can also engage live during the meeting through the chat box. Each meeting is recorded for those who are not able to attend live, and the link is shared after the meeting,” shared Associate Dean for Student Engagement, Associate Professor Nicolette McGuire. “This format ensures transparency, fosters two-way communication, and provides an opportunity for students’ voices to be heard at the university level,” she adds.
Updates from Student Representatives and University Leadership
Regular updates are generally provided by the OUM Student Association (OUMSA), Regional Deans (Dean for Australia and North America, and Dean for Samoa, American Samoa, Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Asia-Pacific), as well as by the Deputy Vice Chancellor and President, Vice Chancellor and President, Chief Information Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, and other senior leaders.
These presentations keep the OUM community informed about university initiatives, academic progress, IT developments, and institutional growth across regions.
Building Connection in a Hybrid Learning Environment
For a university built around a hybrid learning model, with approximately the first two years of the MD Program’s pre-clinical phase delivered online, University-Wide Meetings are a key touchpoint in maintaining a strong sense of community.
Alongside the Moodle Newsfeed, Student Information System (SIS) notices, group emails, social media channels, and Student Support Programs, OUM’s University-Wide Meetings ensure that every student stays informed, engaged, and connected — no matter where they are in the world.