The Current Status of Medical Education in Ukraine

Abstract

　The goal of education in Ukraine is the comprehensive development of the individual because of their value to society. This is evident in all fields of study, including medicine. After adopting the Bologna process, Ukraine reformed its educational system, thus adapting it to the standards of the European Union. Prior to Russiaʼs war on Ukraine, there were 14 state-operated and five privately-operated medical universities in Ukraine. Combined, they employed 11,177 educators, of whom 1,816 were professors and 7,096 were associate or assistant professors. Annually, medical institutions graduate 10,200 doctors. Thirty-eight thousand international students from 155 countries studied at Ukrainian medical universities. The framework for training doctors in Ukraine per the World Federation of Medical Education standards involves three levels of study: an undergraduate degree, postgraduate education, and continuous professional development. ECTS, the European Union Course Credit Transfer System, was developed by the Commission of the European Union in order to provide standard procedures to guarantee academic recognition of international study.　Due to Russiaʼs military invasion of Ukraine, medical education has had to adapt to the war. 43 Ukrainian higher education institutions were damaged by shelling and bombing, and five were destroyed. The experience with Covid-19 helped the education system change rapidly to online learning. The survival of many Ukrainian higher education institutions is currently under threat due to a lack of funding, displaced employees and students, and destroyed infrastructure. In these conditions, strategic partnerships with foreign universities can help them survive. Juntendo University scholarships for Ukrainian doctors, students, and scientists exemplify friendly assistance and partnership in the international medical community. Ukrainian students, doctors, and scientific researchers highly appreciate the opportunity given to them and will continue to work hard for the future of medicine.