SGU to Celebrate African Medical Graduates as University Marks 50 Years of Training Doctors
NAIROBI, June 10, 2026 — St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, will on June 27 host a special commencement ceremony in Gaborone, Botswana, bringing together graduates, families, healthcare leaders and government officials in a celebration of academic achievement and medical excellence across Africa.
The ceremony forms part of the university’s year-long 50th anniversary celebrations and is expected to shine a spotlight on the contributions of African graduates who have gone on to strengthen healthcare systems across the continent.
According to the university, the event will not only celebrate the academic milestones of graduating students but also recognize the growing role of SGU-trained medical professionals in hospitals, clinics, public health institutions and leadership spaces throughout Africa.
For five decades, SGU has trained physicians from different parts of the world, including Africa, with many alumni now serving on the frontline of healthcare delivery in their respective countries. Through clinical practice, public health service and leadership, graduates have continued to help bridge healthcare workforce gaps while improving access to quality medical care.
The significance of this year’s ceremony is further reflected in its choice of keynote speaker.
Botswana’s Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Stephen Modise, an alumnus of St. George’s University, is expected to deliver keynote remarks during the event. His journey from an SGU medical student to one of Botswana’s senior healthcare leaders is being highlighted as an example of the growing impact of the university’s graduates across Africa.
SGU School of Medicine President and Dean, Dr. Marios Loukas, said the university takes pride in the achievements of its graduates and the difference they continue to make in communities around the world.
“As we celebrate 50 years of St. George’s University, we are proud of the thousands of graduates who are making a difference in communities around the world, including many across Africa,” he said.
Loukas noted that the ceremony will provide an important opportunity for graduates to celebrate alongside their families, friends and mentors while reflecting on the contribution they are making to healthcare systems across the continent.
He added that the event is particularly meaningful for African graduates, many of whom will have the opportunity to participate in a formal graduation ceremony closer to home.
For some alumni, the gathering in Gaborone will also serve as a chance to mark an academic milestone they may have previously missed, especially those who were unable to attend commencement ceremonies held in New York.
Beyond the celebration, the ceremony is expected to reinforce SGU’s longstanding commitment to medical education in Africa and its role in nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals.
As the university marks its golden jubilee, officials say SGU remains focused on expanding access to medical education through international training opportunities, flexible learning pathways and a global alumni network aimed at improving healthcare outcomes worldwide.
The university believes strengthening medical education and building skilled healthcare professionals will continue to play a key role in addressing healthcare challenges facing many African countries.
The Gaborone ceremony, therefore, will not only mark the end of an academic journey for graduates but also symbolize a continued investment in the future of healthcare across the continent.
More information about programmes and medical training pathways offered by SGU School of Medicine is available on the university’s website.
