DUNDEE university has been awarded a medal for its support of medical students displaced by the war in Ukraine.
Professor Iain Gillespie, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, has received a special medal and plaque from Dnipro State Medical University (DSMU), from where students have travelled to Dundee to continue with their training.
Teaching at Dnipro State Medical University has been severely impacted since the invasion of Ukraine and there has been only limited hands-on opportunities available for Ukrainian students who remain in their homeland.
The twinning agreement with Dnipro State Medical University is part of a wider package of involvement with Dundee’s School of Medicine that includes supporting learning and fundraising.
Professor Kamilla Mahrlamova joined the University of Dundee from DSMU and is acting as a mentor and support for, Viktoriia and Olesia, two students who are continuing their studies at the School of Medicine.
She said: “The Ukrainian healthcare system is currently searching for ways out of this crisis, and we are trying to build a new medical care model closer to global standards.
“The sustainability of DSMU’s medical education programmes globally and during wartime, requires us to reach out internationally to seek out the highest standard of medical education for our future doctors.
“After the war is over, we would like to invite representatives of the University of Dundee to DSMU.
“This active international cooperation will contribute to raising the status of DSMU in higher medical education circles.”
Dr Ellie Hothersall, Head of Medicine MBChB at Dundee said: “We hope that this is the beginning of a regular series of placements for students from Dnipro, as we work through the complex logistics involved.”
