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MPPHSS at YSMU: success story and

challenges (lessons learned)

A.Tadevosyan, N. TadevosyanChisinau, 23-25.09.2013

HistoryHistory

2005 (Bergen) Armenia joint Bologna process 2005 (Bergen) Armenia joint Bologna process taking obligations to introduce by 2010taking obligations to introduce by 2010 Three cycle system (bachelor-master-Three cycle system (bachelor-master-

doctorate)doctorate) Credit transfer systemCredit transfer system Students’ and academics’ mobilityStudents’ and academics’ mobility Accreditation of European quality assurance Accreditation of European quality assurance

standardsstandards Continuous educationContinuous education

The project started with kick-off meeting in The project started with kick-off meeting in Yerevan in February 2011Yerevan in February 2011

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At the start of projectAt the start of project

FacultiesFaculties General MedicineGeneral Medicine Military MedicineMilitary Medicine DentistryDentistry PharmacyPharmacy

In 2004 - last graduation from Sanitary-In 2004 - last graduation from Sanitary-hygienic faculty. Since that time only hygienic faculty. Since that time only couple of “ordinators” graduate from couple of “ordinators” graduate from “preventive” departments – epidemiology, “preventive” departments – epidemiology, hygiene, public health hygiene, public health

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At the end of projectAt the end of project

FacultiesFaculties General MedicineGeneral Medicine Military MedicineMilitary Medicine DentistryDentistry PharmacyPharmacy

Faculty of Public Health Faculty of Public Health 2 year Master course (120 credits) 2 year Master course (120 credits) 5 graduates5 graduates 23 current students (7 – second year, 16 23 current students (7 – second year, 16

– first)– first)

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Achievements Achievements New facultyNew faculty New specialtyNew specialty New curriculum, newly developed New curriculum, newly developed

modulesmodules Public Health PolicyPublic Health Policy Problem solvingProblem solving Qualitative and quantitative researchQualitative and quantitative research Health promotion and empowerment, etc. Health promotion and empowerment, etc.

New methods of teachingNew methods of teaching New assessment methods New assessment methods

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Success stories Success stories

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Problem solving modules Problem solving modules for Social work students for Social work students

(YSU)(YSU)

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Project “Organization of Hospice Project “Organization of Hospice Based Palliative Care”Based Palliative Care”

Students’ posters for Students’ posters for anti-tobacco campaign anti-tobacco campaign

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Lessons learned Lessons learned

New methods of teaching is challengingNew methods of teaching is challenging We need to learn how to teachWe need to learn how to teach Students need to learn how to study Students need to learn how to study Shift from traditional methods of teaching in Shift from traditional methods of teaching in

bachelor level to interactive, problem based bachelor level to interactive, problem based methods is challenging for all of usmethods is challenging for all of us

Assignments are difficult even for Assignments are difficult even for understandingunderstanding

Both students and lecturers are reluctant and Both students and lecturers are reluctant and resistant to accept new assessment methods resistant to accept new assessment methods

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Back to Bologna processBack to Bologna process

Three cycle system (bachelor-Three cycle system (bachelor-master-doctorate)master-doctorate) Achieved Achieved Credit transfer systemCredit transfer system Limited (YSMU – YSU)Limited (YSMU – YSU)

Student’s and academic’s mobilityStudent’s and academic’s mobility Possibly it is the biggest missing partPossibly it is the biggest missing part

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Barriers and Obstacles Barriers and Obstacles

““Random”Random”Language, personal Language, personal characteristics, administrative characteristics, administrative instability – possible to handleinstability – possible to handle

““Systematic”Systematic”State rules and regulations – State rules and regulations – almost insuperable almost insuperable

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Barriers and Obstacles Barriers and Obstacles

Academic problemsAcademic problems Different mandatory subjectsDifferent mandatory subjects Different teaching methodologyDifferent teaching methodology New and old approaches and content of New and old approaches and content of

modules modules Administrative problemsAdministrative problems

VAT exemptionsVAT exemptions Purchase of goods, travel arrangementPurchase of goods, travel arrangement Different financial reports to fiscal agencies, Different financial reports to fiscal agencies,

etc.etc.

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Management problemsManagement problems Multilateral strong and constant Multilateral strong and constant

communicationcommunication Unequal interest and enthusiasm of Unequal interest and enthusiasm of

staffstaff Low interest on the side of studentsLow interest on the side of students

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Barriers and Obstacles Barriers and Obstacles

Ministry of Health far behind in the Ministry of Health far behind in the process of reforms than Ministry of process of reforms than Ministry of EducationEducation

Reluctance to expand the recruitment to Reluctance to expand the recruitment to non-medical background studentsnon-medical background students

Not clear and understandable Not clear and understandable responsibilities of MPH responsibilities of MPH

Low prestige and salariesLow prestige and salaries Difficulties with recruitment of students Difficulties with recruitment of students

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ConclusionConclusion

TEMPUS is helpful and effective tool to TEMPUS is helpful and effective tool to reform, update and synchronize the reform, update and synchronize the higher education in FSU countrieshigher education in FSU countries

MPPHSS in overall was successful and MPPHSS in overall was successful and reached the goals; however, some gaps reached the goals; however, some gaps still remain (on-line resource center, still remain (on-line resource center, shared teaching materials, etc.)shared teaching materials, etc.)

Issues on administrative barriers should Issues on administrative barriers should be emphasized in report to EACEAbe emphasized in report to EACEA

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And the most important – And the most important – we becamewe became

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TEAM FRIENDSand

Thank you!Thank you!

Mulțumesc!Mulțumesc!

დიდი მადლობადიდი მადლობა!!

Tack!Tack!

ՇնորհակալությունՇնորհակալություն20

Questions ?Questions ?

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