A practical training and simulation learning center of VSMU has been opened in Vitebsk
The multifunctional complex is located on the territory of the Vitebsk Regional Hospital, where most of the university's clinical departments are situated. The former polyclinic building of the TV plant was transferred to the medical university free of charge. Within the framework of the republican program for the development of simulation education, with funds from the Ministry of Health of Belarus and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the old building has acquired a completely new look and purpose.
The renovated area of 2.8 thousand square meters is equipped with 35 training rooms for various specialties, including its own conference hall with 70 seats, a canteen, and other auxiliary facilities. Future medical professionals will be able to practice skills in all areas of practical healthcare in conditions as close as possible to a hospital setting, and even practice providing assistance in rare pathologies. The main focus will be on areas such as resuscitation, emergency care, obstetrics, cardiology, and surgery.
As noted by VSMU Rector Anatoly Shchastny, the university has conducted simulation training for its students before, but the new center is organized taking into account all modern trends in the educational process, including the active implementation of IT technologies.
– One of the main principles of our university is practice-oriented education, so that fundamental knowledge is always combined with practical skills and abilities that our students and graduates must possess. Time poses new challenges and requirements, including the implementation of online technologies. We took all this into account when creating the center, which is designed not only for student training, – emphasized Anatoly Tadeuszewicz. – In the future, practicing doctors will undergo professional development here. We also plan to invite high school students and give them certain first aid skills. An agreement on cooperation with the Department of Internal Affairs and the State Automobile Inspectorate has already been reached. We are ready to organize weekend groups where our volunteers and teachers will introduce the public to the necessary first aid skills.
According to Dmitry Cherednichenko, Deputy Minister of Health, 17 similar simulation centers have already been opened in Belarus at colleges and 4 at universities.
– These are centers for the synthesis of theory and practice, with their help the educational process will become much more effective and efficient, – the Deputy Minister is confident. He also expressed the need to organize a unified platform where these educational complexes could exchange experience and new ideas for further improvement.
The appearance of a new facility and the implementation of the republican program in the regions are largely facilitated by the support of local authorities.
– It is very pleasant that our medical university is annually enriched with significant facilities. It must constantly develop, as life does not stand still. The Vitebsk Medical University must reach the level of the best world universities. Healthy ambitions are normal if there is understanding from the authorities, leadership, and teaching staff, – believes the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Nikolai Sherstnev. – Of course, every year we will improve, build new facilities, and update in order to achieve the set goal. The university must expand, grow in terms of material resources, student numbers, and the amount of money from provided services. It must become better and richer.
The head of the region also congratulated everyone present on the start of the academic year, wished teachers good students, and students good teachers, so that they would become a united student family.