Implementation of an academic advising program for undergraduate medical students at the University of Zawia: Benefits and challenges

Academic advising is a crucial aspect of higher education, as it helps students navigate their academic journey, achieve their academic goals, and overcome any challenges they may face. The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Zawia, Libya, recognized the importance of academic advising and implemented an academic advising program for its undergraduate medical students in May 2022. This study aims to demonstrate the methodology of creating and implementing an academic advising program for undergraduate medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Zawia, and to highlight the rationale behind implementing this program and its associated benefits. Additionally, the study will discuss the challenges faced by the academic advising department team during the program implementation and provide recommendations for improvement. Through a review of the literature on academic advising programs implemented in variou international universities, a unique academic advising guide for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Zawia was designed and implemented to support undergraduate medical students.