EW Spotlight Feature

Rush for Russian medical degrees

The wave of globalisation and liberalisation which helped dismantle the Iron Curtain has opened the doors of education institutions in Russia, (formerly the Soviet Union), which is attracting Indian students — particularly those intent upon studying medicine — by the thousands.

Currently, approximately 9,000 Indian students are pursuing various qualifications like MD (Doctor of Medicine) or MBBS, and other postgraduate degrees in medicine in reputed universities in the cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg and Ryazan, among others. There are approximately 110,000 foreign students from more than 200 countries studying in Russia. "This figure is rising every year," says Dr. Avbakar Nutsalov, director general of Russian Asian Centre for University Services (RACUS), (www.racus.ru), a 15-year-old inter-university association which coordinates the admission of foreign students into 21 Russian state universities.

Parul Saxena (21), a fourth year medical student from Mumbai at the Ryazan State I.P. Pavlov Medical University (est.1950) in Ryazan city, about 220 km east of Moscow, is enjoying her study experience in Russia. She joined the university four years ago after averaging 84 percent in the Plus Two (science) exam in India. "Studying medicine in Russia where teaching standards are excellent is very cost effective. We spend only US$ 100-150 (Rs.4,500-6,750) per month for accommodation and food," she says.

Students live in comfortable hostels, two to three students per room in accordance with Russian sanitary standards, paying a mere US$ 300 (Rs.13,500) per year. The rooms are well equipped with tables, chairs, night-tables and bookshelves. Students are provided with bedding, mattresses, blankets, pillows, and bed linen. Each floor is equipped with kitchens though students are required to use their own crockery and cutlery. In the grocery stores of Ryazan students can buy products from around the world.

Saxena, who has two more years to complete her six-year MD (Doctor of medicine) degree programme has been scoring "good" and "excellent" grades in her exams thus far. "I am happy with the quality of education which is really good and cheaper than back home in India. I plan to complete my post-graduate degree here and return home a qualified cardiac surgeon," she says.

About 5,000 students from 45 districts in Russia and 1,200 foreign students from 40 countries study 90 specialties in 20 buildings spread over the five hectare green and picturesque fully-wired campus of the Ryazan State I.P. Pavlov Medical University. "The campus is connected with wi-fi internet 24x7. Whenever we want to contact our parents, family members and relatives, we can do it in a jiffy," says Pratik Chabbria, a second year student from Indore.

"We are very proud that we have a truly international blend of students, who add a rainbow of cultures to our campus. During the holidays, we organise student trips to major Russian cities. Moreover all foreign students celebrate their own national days which are a hit with Russian students who love their colourful concerts, dance and music on the campus," says Prof. Oleg Konovalov, deputy chancellor of Ryazan State I.P. Pavlov Medical University. Included by the World Health Organisation in its Directory of World Medical Schools, this prestigious university has acquired an international reputation by winning global awards such as The Crystal Night (Malta), American Golden Certificate for International Prestige (Monte Carlo), and European Quality Diploma, among other plaudits.

Likewise, the picturesque St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy (est.1904) in beautiful St. Petersburg, the former capital named after Russian emperor Peter the Great, is among the oldest and largest institutions of higher medical education in the world, and popular with students from India. "The quality of Indian students we admit is excellent and we are very pleased with them," says Dr. Vladimir V. Levanovich, chancellor of Saint-Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy, adding that last year 110 Indian students, including seven postgraduate students were admitted. The 140 student contingent from India is the largest of 950 international students from 42 countries including Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Middle East.

"I am studying to qualify as a pediatric cardiologist in one of the oldest and most prestigious medical academies in the world," says Vandana Mishra (23) a third year student from New Delhi who stresses that in 2004, the Academy was awarded the European Quality Certificate and St. Sophia Award (Oxford, UK) for its contribution to the development of world science and international medical education.

Since the department of medicine was started 47 years ago in the sprawling 400 acre green campus, about 5,000 doctors have graduated from the university, of whom 42 percent were from Asia. "International students make new friends, adjust to rigorous academic life, learn to communicate with students of other nations and cultures and develop strong personal and professional ties which are maintained long after graduation. We really promote friendship without borders as the name of the university suggests," says Prof. Vladimir M. Filippov, rector of the PFUR.

Russia opened the doors of its academic institutions in a big way after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. Under a new policy initiative mooted by President Vladmir Putin a few years ago, the Russian government has accorded high priority to professional education and has encouraged state funded institutions to establish branches abroad.

However Victor Petrenko, deputy director, International Education and Cooperation under the Federal Agency of Education, laments that though India and Russia boast excellent government-government relations, recognitioin of Russian medical degrees is a sore point. "We sent a draft agreement to the Indian side long ago, but for the past 20 years, the issue of medical equivalency has not been settled. At the government level, we are keen that India recognises our medical qualification degrees," says Petrenko.

Students in Moscow, Ryazan and St. Petersburg say that after finishing the six or seven-year grind (including the preparatory one-year-course where one learns Russian before starting study for formal medical degrees), when they return to India, they are obliged to write a screening test of the National Board of Examinations, New Delhi (www.nat board.nic.in). Only then, can an Indian graduate from a foreign medical university register with the Medical Council of India to do an internship and later register as a practitioner.

Fees. A Russian MD or MBBS degree costs between US$ 1,800-3,500 (Rs. 81,000-1.57 lakh) per year by way of tuition fees. Residential accommodation costs about US$ 300 (Rs.13,500) a year. Before joining any medical college abroad, including Russia, Indian students must obtain an eligibility certificate from the MCI as per the amendment to the Indian Medical Act, 1956.

Academic calendar. The academic year in Russia begins on September 1 and includes two semesters: September- January, and February-June (examinations in January and June). Students enjoy two vacations. Winter vacations from January 15-30 and summer vacations from July-August.

Admission eligibility. Any student with a higher secondary (Plus Two) school completion certificate with 50 percent average in physics, biology and chemistry in sound health and able to cover annual tuition fees of US$ 1,800-3,500, hostel accommodation cost of US$ 300 per academic year and health and life insurance fee of US$ 200 and US$ 100-150 per month for food expenses can study comfortably in Russia’s state funded universities.

"The average expenditure for residential medical education in Russia is approximately US$ 3,500-5,000 per year, including all expenses. However, fees may be higher depending on the speciality, university and city," says Dr. Avbakar Nutsalov, director general of Russian Asian Centre for University Services (RACUS), head-quartered in St. Petersburg, the scientific, education and cultural capital of Russia.

"Studying abroad is a big decision for any young student. We are glad to help, guide and facilitate students from India to get affordable and prestigious medical degrees in Russia," says Ekaterina Nikolaeva, the youthful deputy director general and head of RACUS. "Every student is guided by experienced RACUS managers. We also provide parents all the information about their children’s study progress, health etc and we are in regular touch with them," Nikolaeva adds.

For detailed and accurate information about study in Russia, Dr. Nutsalov, director general of RACUS recommends that Indian students contact only the Russian Centres for Science and Culture in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai to avoid receiving any incorrect and inadequate information from incompetent recruiting companies/private persons.

Michael Gonsalves (recently in Russia)