Education for the reconstruction of Ukraine and European integration: Medical Faculty No. 2
Medical Faculty No. 2 is a structural and functional subdivision of the State Higher Educational Institution Uzhhorod National University and trains students in the field of medicine, the educational process is conducted in English. Today, more than 1000 students from more than 25 countries study at the faculty.
The Dean of the School of Medicine, Doctor of Medical Sciences Vasyl Kaliy, told us more about the innovations in the educational process and employment prospects.
What innovations in education were introduced at the Faculty in 2024?
We all understand that in this difficult time for the country, the development of most areas is becoming problematic due to limited resources caused by the war. However, despite the difficulties, we still manage to introduce innovations and improve the educational process thanks to our international partners. Already this year, they have provided our faculty with a nearly complete set of universal simulation phantoms, which allows students to master and improve their practical skills.
In addition, every year we try to include elements of training and medical care in the programme in accordance with European and US standards. To this end, we actively engage foreign teachers and practitioners in joint training and other forms of cooperation. Also, thanks to the university management, this year a new building for our Department of Family Medicine and Outpatient Care was put into operation. The premises are modernly renovated and provided with all the necessary equipment for training both foreign and Ukrainian students. I would like to note that this year we have significantly expanded our cooperation with some private clinics in Uzhhorod, and now our teachers have a better opportunity to demonstrate clinical cases, thereby improving the quality of the educational process.
It should also be noted that given the martial law and the associated difficulties for students - primarily logistical ones - we provide an opportunity to study online. Of course, this is not the best format for studying medicine, but we are constantly improving it thanks to the latest technologies and best practices of distance learning in Western countries.
For example, for the first time in Ukraine, thanks to our colleagues from the UK, the Medical Faculty No.2 received a state-of-the-art set of special digital glasses and professional accessories to them, which allows students in different parts of the world to see and hear live everything that a teacher sees and hears when in direct contact with a patient. This is how distance learning was conducted in some UK institutions during the pandemic.
We are trying to adapt to modern realities as much as possible and provide our students with various opportunities for quality and comfortable learning.
Where do your graduates find employment?
Given our specificity - training doctors from around the world, since citizens from more than 40 countries have been educated at our faculty since its inception, the geography of employment is as wide and diverse as possible, in particular in medical institutions of all levels of care and all forms of ownership. In addition, I would like to emphasise that Medical Faculty No. 2 is not exclusively for foreign citizens. The educational process for future doctors is conducted in English, which means that citizens of Ukraine can also study, including on favourable financial terms. Studying in English is a great advantage and greatly expands opportunities for future employment abroad, not only in Eastern Europe, but also in other countries of the world. By the way, we already have such a successful experience of training Ukrainian citizens. So we invite everyone to apply!
The specialities for which admission to the faculty is announced in the academic year 2024-2025:
The Medical Faculty No. 2 invariably conducts enrolment in the speciality 222 Medicine for the level of education of Master and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with English as the language of instruction, regardless of citizenship.