ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia — The Health Sciences University of Mongolia named President Eric B. Shumway an honorary professor today in partial recognition for BYU-Hawaii's instructional design assistance in producing distance-learning materials that have been used by over 2,600 medical students and practitioners last year, as well as other educational initiatives.
"It's my privilege and honor to give my old comrade this meaningful ceremony," said HSUM President Ts. Lkhagvasuren. He added that the cooperation has led his students to "becoming better doctors and achieving better health."
"Let me share my sincere thanks with BYU-Hawaii's Dr. Eric Shumway and his colleagues." Among those are Dr. Peter Chan, who in 2004 along with Mongolian and other student interns helped produce a series of instructional DVDs that the Health Sciences University of Mongolia currently uses in training its students. Dr. Chan has made eight trips to Mongolia, and was warmly greeted by many HSUM colleagues.
"You will forever be held in our hearts," added President Lkhagvasuren, who is also head of the consortium of Mongolian universities.
"This is a great honor for me personally," President Shumway responded, "but I know that his honor also belongs to many others at Brigham Young University Hawaii and at this beloved health sciences university, who have made this relationship so binding."
"We have very, very much appreciated the close association we have had with this very important university in Mongolia," he continued, also acknowledging others at BYU-Hawaii who have contributed to the relationship and "engaged so effectively with your professors to bring about this synergy that has produced so much."
"I will carry away this honor with great determination to do all I can to keep this relationship afloat into future projects together."
Following the presentation and speeches, an HSUM freshman serenaded the gathering with traditional Mongolian instrumental and vocal music. President Lkhagvasuren then hosted President Shumway and his party at a special luncheon. He also attended a press conference with President Shumway and later in the evening attended the BYU-Hawaii Concert Choir's performance in the Ulaanbaatar Opera House.
— Photos by Debra Frampton
