Armenian delegation visits FMED CU for inspiration on modernising medical education
In June, the Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University Bratislava (FMED CU) welcomed three leading Armenian scientists and educators to Bratislava. Naira Hunanyan, Harutyun Stepanyan and Tatevik Piliposyan, who work at medical universities in Yerevan and at the L. A. Orbeli Institute of Physiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, came to learn more about modern laboratory methods and the organisation of medical education.
Armenian higher education is currently undergoing an important transformation as it moves towards international standards and integrated medical teaching. The delegation from Yerevan included Naira Hunanyan and Harutyun Stepanyan from Armenia’s National Centre for Professional Education Quality Assurance Foundation (ANQA), and came to FMED CU in search of practical inspiration for modernising the curriculum in Armenia. During an intensive programme, the visitors toured the Institute of Histology and Embryology, the Institute of Physiology, the Institute of Medical Education and Simulations of FMED CU, and the University Science Park.
“Our expertise so far has focused mainly on tissue-level research. We wanted to move towards the cellular level, and since Professor Varga had published important articles in my field, I contacted him with a view to cooperation. He responded immediately and very helpfully,” explains Dr Naira Hunanyan. “In addition to the science itself, we were able to compare our methods with Slovak simulation centres and modern approaches to teaching assessment. I greatly appreciate the fact that medical education at FMED CU is closely linked with scientific research and that students have the opportunity to develop scientific thinking, rather than just to follow protocols mechanically. We are taking home valuable knowledge about how to build new laboratories and organise teaching more effectively.”
The visiting delegation praised both the technological standard of FMED CU’s facilities, and also the exceptionally warm and supportive environment. “Professor Varga prepared a comprehensive, focused programme for us. He did everything possible to make sure we could try the new cellular research methods ourselves, which is crucial for us. In the laboratories, we learned how to process samples for electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Everyone at the faculty was wonderful, patiently showing us everything and offering us their time. We literally felt at home here,” adds Dr Harutyun Stepanyan, noting that the visit laid firm foundations for future joint research projects. Dr Tatevik Piliposyan added that visiting Bratislava as a full team would make it easier for them to implement modern procedures at medical faculties in Armenia after their return.
By strengthening international partnerships with countries which want to align closer with European academic standards, the Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University Bratislava is confirming its position as a respected leader in the region. The Armenian delegation’s visit was organised by Professor Ivan Varga, Vice-Dean of FMED CU and a member of the Institute of Histology and Embryology. “The visit by our colleagues from Armenia was an enriching experience for our faculty and confirmed that the quality of our research and our innovative teaching methods have a strong international impact. Opening the doors of our laboratories and simulation facilities to foreign experts allows us not only to pass on Slovak know-how in places where education reform is under way, but also to open the way to promising international projects. I believe this personal experience will soon lead to official academic cooperation that will benefit both sides, whether in cellular research or in modernising the medical curriculum in line with global standards,” added Professor Varga.