BYU-Hawaii cooperates with the Health Science University of Mongolia to develop instructional CD-ROM for rural doctors and medical students in Mongolia.
"BYU-Hawaii established a very important relationship with the Health Science University of Mongolia - the premier university in Mongolia for training doctors and medical professionals," said Dr. Peter Chan, assistant professor of instructional design and development.
The relationship began in May of this year when Chan went to Mongolia with vice president of academics Keith Roberts, Dean Robert Hayden of the Center for Instructional Technology and Outreach (CITO) and other university leaders.
"That's when their university initiated this project after they have seen a similar project that I have done for teachers in China," said Chan. "Both Dr. Roberts and Hayden were supportive of this project, so I went back with David Wade [remote CITO employee] and four students for the production in June."
Working closely with surgeons, university professors and medical students, Chan, Wade and the four students filmed 20 nursing procedures, 30 first aid procedures and five live surgeries. The video will be laced with commentary and additional professional information and be used for instructional multimedia CD-ROMs.
"Mongolia is a big country. Oftentimes it's difficult to reach doctors in the outer regions," Chan explained. "Medical professors can use these CD-ROM for training medical students and also for in-service training for practicing doctors throughout the country."
Dr. Sandeus Erdene, professor of medicine at the Health Science University of Mongolia and one of the countries foremost surgeons, greatly facilitated the cooperative project and performed one of the recorded surgeries.
"It is not always possible for doctors in rural areas to be trained onsite in the city," he explained. "This project will provide them with on-hand experience and ready materials that they can refer to at any time. It is definitely a very influential project for Mongolia and Mongolian doctors; the benefit of it is immeasurable.
"I was very impressed with the students and the faculty of BYU-Hawaii," he continued. "They were all very professional and impressive, and I was excited to work with them. I sincerely hope that this cooperation will continue and involve many other departments and universities."
Dr. Erdene arrived in Hawaii on Sunday, August 8 to visit his sister, a student here at BYUH. While here on vacation for two weeks, he is helping in the CD-ROM production process.
"I am very grateful to be here to visit your facilities, to get acquainted with the university and to continue working with professor Chan and the students," he said. "I am very satisfied with the outcome of this project.
"This project is the first of many projects that will take place at the Health Science University of Mongolia with BYU-Hawaii," he added. "The more projects we work on, our relationship will deepen and we will have more success."
Indeed, considering the initial success of the cooperative relationship, there are sure to be more projects to follow. For example, Chan personally received a letter from Dr. Narantuya, Vice President of the Health Science University of Mongolia, requesting that another project be organized related to Obstetrics/Gynecology.
Another program included in the agreement between BYU-Hawaii and the Health Science University of Mongolia is the "3+1+3" program. In this program, Mongolian students study at BYU-Hawaii for three years and return to Mongolia to complete their fourth year. After receiving a bachelor's degree, students are then admitted into medical school and study three more years for their medical degree.
"I am very impressed with the facilities and services of the university," Dr. Erdene said. "I hope that there will be more students who attend here and have this experience."