About BeMSA Ghent

What is BeMSA Ghent

BeMSA Ghent is the Ghent faculty branch of the Belgian Medical Students’ Association (BeMSA), a student-run organisation that represents medical students across 11 faculties in Belgium. As part of this national network and the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), BeMSA is also connected to a global community of 137 national member organisations.

Each year, BeMSA Ghent organises a wide range of local, national, and international activities, including clinical and research exchanges that allow students to explore different healthcare systems, medical innovations, and approaches to healthcare delivery.

BeMSA Ghent brings students together to exchange ideas, collaborate, and develop initiatives aimed at creating a healthier world. It empowers its members by providing training, skills, and opportunities to grow into future health leaders. Through advocacy, projects, and campaigns, BeMSA Ghent actively contributes to addressing pressing health issues and making a positive impact on both medical students and the communities they serve.

BeMSA's origin

BeMSA Ghent grew out of SWISS (Student Working Group on International Cooperation and Internships), a working group focused on the combination of “medical students and international experience,” both in a practical, informational, and awareness-oriented way.

In 2009, medical students from Ghent (SWISS), Antwerp, and Leuven joined forces and founded the national organisation BeMSA (Belgian Medical Students’ Association), which became a candidate member of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA).

This opened the door to a global network of contacts and unique opportunities. From the very beginning, we chose to be part of the BeMSA story and therefore adopted the name BeMSA Ghent.

To discover more about the history of BeMSA Ghent, press the button below to explore our timeline.

Link with the IFMSA

Through the election of national board members and seats in the General Assembly, we contribute to the development of BeMSA’s vision and positions. These national positions have an impact at the international level through the presence of Ghent delegates from BeMSA at international IFMSA meetings.

Standing Committees

In IFMSA and BeMSA (as described on IFMSA and BeMSA), the Standing Committees are the core working structures through which medical students actively engage in different global health topics.

There are 7 Standing Committees, each focusing on a specific area such as public health, medical education, research, exchanges, human rights, and sexual and reproductive health. Within each committee, students develop and run local, national, and international projects, campaigns, trainings, and exchanges, allowing them to gain experience, build skills, and contribute to meaningful change in healthcare and medical education.

In BeMSA Ghent, these committees are implemented through local project groups, giving students the opportunity to participate in initiatives that match their interests while being part of a wider national and international network. Each Standing Committee represents a different way for students to take action and grow as future health professionals.

Press the logo below to discover more about each Standing Committee and their projects.

BeMSA Ghent Board

BeMSA Ghent's board is what turns all the student's ideas into reality. The BeMSA Ghent board, which is elected each year, consists of the following functions:

Meet our current board and project coordinators and learn about our past boards through the buttons below.