«Marat Ospanov West Kazakhstan Medical University»
Cooperation between West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University and Poznan University of Medical Sciences has been ongoing since 2011, when a Cooperation Agreement was signed between the universities.
Poznan University of Medical Sciences (hereinafter referred to as PUMS) was founded in 1919 and is one of the best and biggest medical universities in Poland, representing an educational, research and clinical centre with 100 years of academic experience and great potential for development. PUMS is one of the leading European medical education organisations, showing high marks in the examinations for licensing and certification of healthcare professionals and having a good starting position on the local and European labour market. It was the first medical school in Poland and Eastern Europe to offer 5 programmes in English, all of which have been internationally accredited in the USA and Europe. The University has 6 own clinical bases with 2,200 beds. Teaching and research is based on active cooperation with 5 clinical hospitals as well as other city hospitals. PUMS is well prepared for research in basic medical sciences, clinical research, diagnostics and therapy and is ranked 74th in the Ranking Web of Universities (www. webometrics.com) among European universities and among the top three medical universities in Poland (Rankings “Perspektywy”, “Rzeczpospolita”, “Wpzost”). It consists of the following faculties:
1) Faculty of Medicine I (general medicine)
2) Faculty of Medicine II (Dentistry, Medical Biotechnology, Dietetics, Optometry, Dental Hygiene, Dental Prosthetics, Auditory Prosthetics)
3) Faculty of Pharmacy (pharmacy, medical analytics, cosmetology)
4) Faculty of Health (Nursing, Obstetrics, Physiotherapy, Public Health, Medical Life Saving, Activity Therapeutics, Electroradiology)
As part of the implementation of the MoH project “Modernization of Medical Education” of the State Healthcare Development Programme “Densaulyk” for 2016-2019, the Poznan University of Medical Sciences has been identified as a strategic partner of the West Kazakhstan Medical University. The Memorandum of Education, Health, Academic and Scientific Activities was signed on 01 June 2016.
In 2016, experts from Poznan University of Medical Sciences conducted an analysis of educational and scientific activities; they assessed the management of the University and the PhD Program of the WKMOMU, conducted master classes on the European model of Management and Funding in the Conditions of Autonomy, and provided recommendations. In November of the same year, the WKMOMU staff (Vice-Rector, Deans, Heads of Departments) underwent an internship in the relevant departments of the PUMS, and at the same time the stages of implementation of the Terms of Reference were agreed upon.
In order to implement the Strategic Partnership Program, Professor Marzena Dworacka, MD, PhD, was engaged as Vice-Rector for Strategic Partnership from 24.10.2017 to 20.12.2017 to work on the improvement of the educational program of General Medicine at all training levels, “Oncology”, “Clinical Pharmacology” disciplines in Internship and Residency. In addition, in order to increase the capacity of teaching staff and students Professor Dworacka delivered lectures, workshops and master classes in pharmacology and clinical pharmacology. He is a member of the Dissertation Council of WKMOMU on “Medicine” specialty.
As part of the strategic partnership, Professor Agnieszka Malinska, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, was engaged as Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and International Cooperation from 27 March 2018 to 22 June 2018. Prof. A. Malinska provided assistance and advice in modernization of the plan to improve the scientific competence of the academic staff and scientific activities of the WKMOMU, modernization and development of the basic scientific infrastructure of the University and its units, prepared a list of equipment for the morphology laboratory with detailed specifications. Prof. A. Malinska held seminars and lectures for English-speaking students, delivered a report “The improvement of scientific activity of West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov State Medical University” at the meeting of the Academic Council of the University, held a seminar on writing scientific articles for impact factor journals “How to Write a Good Paper for a Top International Journal”.
Professor Witold Szaflarski MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, was invited as project manager from 27 March 2018 to 23 April 2018. He lectured on the latest research on the mechanisms of action of antibiotics and mechanisms of action of anticancer drugs, as well as mechanisms of cancer cell response to chemotherapeutic treatment. Professor W. Szaflarski prepared recommendations for improving the University’s research infrastructure to increase the efficiency of research work in basic medical and molecular biology.
From 22 August 2018 to 31 October 2018, Professor Witold Szaflarski was again engaged as project manager. He assisted in the development of the new molecular biology laboratory, drawing up and approving the list of equipment to be purchased for the laboratory, giving lectures and conducting seminars for staff and students at the WKMOMU.
From 6 November 2018, Professor Marcin Rucinski, an internationally recognised scientist in the field of experimental endocrinology (Hirsch index – 22, total number of citations – 1238, total number of publications with impact factor – 85, total impact factor value – 202) was appointed as Provost (First Vice-Rector) of the WKMOMU.
Provost organized lectures, individual trainings, consultations on statistical processing and data visualization for the University staff and PhD students, trainings for the university staff: “Histological methods in biomedical research” seminars, “How to evaluate a scientific project – examples and practical tips”, “Methodological aspect of scientific research. Statistical Approach”. A “Readers’ Club” was organized to promote active reading of scientific publications in English with a focus on the methodological aspect.
Since June 1, 2019, WKMOMU participates in the implementation of the Contract financed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, “Consulting services on modernization of education system in medicine” no. SHIP-2.3/CS-02- Strategic partnership for modernization of academic programs, including “Oncology: oncological laboratory diagnostics” and “Clinical Pharmacology” disciplines”, concluded between the Ministry of Healthcare of RoK and the Poznan University of Medical Sciences
The tasks of this Contract are to improve the educational process at the level of basic medical education, to enhance the capacity of the faculty and staff of the University, to develop the institutional scientific capacity of the university, and to improve the educational process and the educational programs in “Clinical Pharmacology” and “Oncology: Oncological Laboratory Diagnostics” disciplines.
In order to fulfill and implement these tasks, teams of experts were formed at the Poznan University and responsible persons were appointed at WKMOMU.
