Prometric, a leading provider of technology-enabled testing services, and the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS) have signed a long term multi-million dollar contract for global exam delivery.

It has also signed an additional new contract for test development and delivery services for new exams.

Collaborating with Prometric as its test services partner, SCHS will completely eliminate its paper and pencil exams, including those in Arabic, from its testing operation and will convert all of its exams to a computer-based format.

Computerising its examinations will make English medical examinations widely accessible across Saudi Arabia and will ensure availability to thousands of potential test takers.

In addition, SCHS will work with Prometric to introduce its pre-assessment communications tests over Prometric’s Internet based testing platform. Using Prometric’s Internet-based testing (iBT), the network of locations in Saudi Arabia where these exams will be available will grow substantially.

The SCHS has helped to establish modern, state-of-the-art healthcare institutions and has paved the path for physicians to pursue additional training in different medical specialties.

The SCHS is also tasked with formulating proper standards and criteria for practicing and developing the health professions.

“Our goal is to attract the best and brightest to our program, positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of the medical profession in the Middle East,” said Professor Hussein Alfreihi, secretary general of SCHS.

“Prometric Dubai has been a strong, dependable and trusted partner throughout our relationship, and we knew we would be in the best hands by maintaining our partnership with them.”

David Grinham, Prometric’s vice president and general manager, Europe and Middle East, said: “We are elated that we are able to continue our work with the Saudi Commission, whose reputation for setting the bar high has very successfully positioned Saudi Arabia as a leader in producing medical talent.

“Relying on Prometric to develop a brand new exam, and to enhance its existing ones, is truly representative of the confidence they have in our ability to help them advance their brand, program and standards in Saudi Arabia and around the world,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service