AWB volunteers are dedicated academics who collaborate with their colleagues at AWB’s partner institutions in low- and middle-income countries – giving generously of their time and efforts – to share expertise through working on projects across objectives and disciplines.

Dr. Cynthia Korpan is an active AWB volunteer, currently involved in two collaborative projects with the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDs) in Wa, Ghana.

The first project, initiated by SDD-UBIDs in 2023, is establishing a graduate student professional development program at SDD-UBIDs. Working with another AWB volunteer, Dr. Heather Merla from Queen’s University, the project began with a literature review and needs assessment involving surveys and focus groups with various stakeholders in Wa, Ghana that provided the information necessary to develop the program. Cynthia and Heather recently returned from Wa where they provided instruction (train-the-trainer model) to the peer mentors who will teach the program.

The second project involved training facilitators to implement the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) at SDD-UBIDs. Over seven days, Cynthia along with AWB volunteer, Dr. Jill Grose (Brock University) trained nine dedicated faculty to be facilitators to roll out the ISW in the fall of 2025. The institution aims to provide the ISW program to all faculty at SDD-UBIDs.

Previously, Cynthia was a key member of an AWB volunteer team (Kathleen Matheos, University of Manitoba; Wenona Partridge, University of Saskatchewan; and Joan Sharp, Simon Fraser University) working collaboratively with colleagues from the University of Agriculture – Faisalabad (UAF) in Pakistan with the project goal of transforming the pedagogical culture to one that is student-centered and outcomes-based. After 18 months, the project was successfully completed in February 2025.

Additionally, in 2021, Cynthia began working, in conjunction with Dr. Geraldine Van Gyn (University of Victoria), in collaboration with Fr. Jino Mwaka (Vice Chancellor of the University of the Sacred Heart, Gulu, Uganda), who requested support for two courses to expand participants’ understanding of engaged teaching, learning, and community based participatory research and to develop their academic mentoring skills. The first phase involved online synchronous and asynchronous instruction, which was followed with an in-person two-week program in August 2023.

Cynthia’s commitment as an AWB volunteer stems from a deep desire to share her expertise and experience. AWB provides the structure to make that happen. Cynthia states: “The approach that AWB takes to supporting institutions establishes a framework of collaboration to ensure that the needs and goals of the institution are at the forefront. This means that the partner institution is highly supportive of the projects being carried out, which results in a dedicated team that not only wants the project to succeed but also be sustainable.”

Cynthia is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Victoria. Up until 2023, Cynthia was the Director of Teaching Excellence, designing and teaching graduate and faculty development courses. She holds a doctorate from the University of Victoria that focuses on early academics learning how to teach in post-secondary education. Further, Cynthia holds the position of Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE), is an Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (CJSoTL), a Committee Member for the Graduate Student, Professional Student, and Postdoctoral Scholar Development Special Interest Group (GPPD SIG) of the Professional and Organizational Development (POD), and Director of ITeach: Certification in Higher Ed Inc.

Academics Without Borders deeply appreciates the work of Cynthia and all AWB Volunteers.

Partner Institution: Meru University of Science and Technology, public university in Kenya, established in 2013 with over 10,000 students

AWB Volunteers: Dr. Andrea Hemmerich, McMaster University & John Schreiner, Queen’s University

Challenge: Improve Medical Capacity for Cancer Diagnosis and Care

Kenya continues to face a growing burden of cancer, with patients often unable to access timely diagnosis or treatment due to a shortage of specialized professionals. Recognizing this critical gap, Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) – in partnership with Academics Without Borders (AWB) and Medical Physicists for World Benefit (MPWB) – has developed the curriculum toward creating one of the country’s first Master of Science (MSc) in Medical Physics. 

Until recently, no Kenyan university offered formal training in medical physics, a field essential to modern cancer diagnosis and radiotherapy. That changed in 2019, when Dr. Daniel Maitethia Memeu, a physics lecturer at MUST, reached out to AWB for support. What followed was a highly collaborative, multi-year effort to design a program tailored to Kenya’s unique healthcare needs.

“AWB’s support will have an astronomical impact,” says Dr. Memeu. “It means we’ll be able to train professionals who otherwise wouldn’t have had this opportunity—and reach patients who otherwise wouldn’t have been treated.”

Approach: Develop a Medical Physics MSc Program

Curriculum Development Through Collaboration

With pandemic travel restrictions in place, AWB volunteer Dr. Andrea Hemmerich (McMaster University) worked remotely with the MUST team to shape the curriculum. Drawing on input from national and international stakeholders, including MPWB, the project team ensured the program aligned with local health system needs and global standards.

Two key stakeholder workshops—one virtual and one in-person—brought together medical physicists, oncologists, radiologists, faculty, and university administrators. These sessions played a critical role in shaping the structure and learning outcomes of the program.

In July 2023, AWB and MPWB volunteers visited Kenya for a two-week working session, helping finalize course outlines, evaluation methods, and teaching resources. The result: a comprehensive draft curriculum that has since undergone internal review and has been submitted to the Commission for University Education (CUE) for national accreditation.

Building Local Capacity

To ensure program sustainability, the project included a strong capacity-building component. Seminars delivered by international experts—including Dr. John Schreiner and Dr. Yakov Pipman—helped prepare faculty to teach and engage with the content. MUST lecturers also led presentations on the courses they will offer, facilitating peer learning and mentoring.

Additionally, the university has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, where a new cancer care clinic will provide students with research opportunities and practical training.

Strategic Partnerships and Regional Impact

Collaboration has been central to the program’s success. In addition to AWB and MPWB, the initiative has engaged with the Association of Medical Physicists in Kenya (AMPKen), local universities (MMUST, Chuka, Pwani), hospitals, cancer centers, and the Kenyan representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“By involving stakeholders early,” notes Dr. Hemmerich, “we were able to ensure the program reflects Kenya’s healthcare realities while preparing students for emerging roles in cancer care.”

The project has already gained visibility through multiple publications, including the Canadian Medical Physics Newsletter InterActions (Jan & July 2024) and McMaster University’s 2023 Annual Report.

Next Steps: Build Upon and Sustain the New Capacity

With accreditation on the horizon, the MSc program is expected to enroll its first cohort in 2026. In the long term, the program is set to position MUST as a regional hub for medical physics training and cancer care—helping to reduce treatment delays, improve patient outcomes, and build Kenya’s healthcare workforce from within.

For more information about AWB’s impactful work and volunteer opportunities, please visit our website.