Nothing wrong with education in Russia

The Association of Sri Lankans who graduated from Socialist Countries which include a large number of prominent Medical Specialists serving in the Health Department of has issued a press statement commenting on an article which appeared in a Sunday newspaper last week.

It said: "Sri Lankan students who study in Russian Universities are faced with high cost of living, severe cold in the winter and slant towards education in Russian language," the article has alleged, it said.

The press statement responding this allegation said:

a) Medical Education in Russia is subsidized by the Govt. of Russia and hence the annual tuition fees for medical courses conducted in Russian generally varies from USD 2,500 to USD 3,000.

Accommodation in hostels costs on the average USD 500 per annum and living expenses around USD 250 per month (It varies from town to town).

These costs are very reasonable compared to the cost of medical education in Western Countries and even in India.

b) Since 1960 more than 6,000 Sri Lankans have studied in the Soviet Union and Russia and the weather was never a factor that deterred students from studying in Russia. In fact snow and skiing and skating were part of the memorable experience of student days in Russia.

Free central heating and hot water is available during the winter in every hostel unlike in many parts of the world where one has to pay very dearly for these services.

c) Experience of many of our members indicate that those who studied in the Russian language had the benefit of the best professors and academic staff and the added advantage of communicating with the patients and hospital staff during clinical studies. Over 30 Russian qualified medical consultants currently serving the health sector in Sri Lanka have all studied in the Russian language."

Commenting on the allegation that "Students with Degrees from either Russia or Belorussia fail the mandatory local exam," the Association says.

"Students who have not properly prepared for the mandatory Act 16 Exam may fail, but the large number of recently graduated doctors qualified from Russia serving in hospitals throughout the country proves that there is nothing wrong with the medical education in Russia.

If the person is lazy and doesn't have passion for education he wouldn't be a success in any university in any part of the world." Though the Sunday newspaper article said that "Medical Degrees from China are not much accepted and in the case of Russia and Belorussia it is even less," the association confirms that

The British Medical Council readily accepts these Degrees to be eligible to sit for the PLAB examination for registration as Medical Practitioners in the UK."

"We wish to point out that though the Director Chancellors Institute has made the above unfounded derogatory remarks about medical education in Russia, Belorussia and China, it is ironical and looking at least strange that after that he invites Sri Lankans to enrol for medical courses in the very same countries," it said.

- Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist Countries (ASLGSC) Sri Lanka-Russia Friendship Society