In line with the University of Pretoria Faculty of Health Sciences' focus on breaking down silos, the office of the Deputy Dean of Teaching and Learning recently hosted the SimUPWars competition. This interdisciplinary healthcare simulation competition aims to enhance cognitive knowledge, critical thinking, psychomotor skills, clinical performance, and teamwork. 

The competition saw students work in teams of six, each with diverse fields of expertise, showcasing their teamwork abilities, skills, and clinical knowledge.

Initially developed by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM), SIMWars, is a clinical performance competition that specifically utilises healthcare simulation technologies and processes to provide teams with standardised opportunities to showcase their clinical knowledge, skills, and teamwork capabilities.  

"SIMWars emphasises experiential learning, which involves the student at the moment, mentally, physically, and emotionally, whether in a simulated experience, reliving the past, or through collaboration (community of practice)," explained Deputy Dean of Teaching and Learning, Professor Vanessa Steenkamp. 

 Thank you to everyone who participated, and congratulations to all our winners!