In my March letter, I addressed serious work force shortages in health professions as one of the reasons for forming a Global Health Sciences University. However, our vision is not limited to producing a specific number of licensed health professionals. The workforce shortages are not the main reason for our existence. As a University, we must foster innovation and creativity and drive cultural and economic transformation of humanity.

 Reflecting back on my own medical education 50 years ago, the medical school taught me fundamentals of listening and communication, adaptability to rapidly changing environment and leadership skills to be a change agent. A large part of specific curricular content in clinical subjects such as medicine, surgery, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics was no longer applicable within a decade after my graduation. New knowledge and new clinical specialties emerged during my life time. Some developments were predictable, others were not. Thus, the role of the University and its Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy or Public Health will be to foster lifelong learning, creativity and innovation, adaptability, and leadership; and above all ethics and compassion.