Sri lanka’s first act 16/erpm (Sri Lanka), AMC (Australia), PLAB (UK) training at Yerevan State Medical university, Armenia

The highlight of the event was launching SRI LANKA’S FIRST ACT 16/ERPM (SRI LANKA), AMC(AUSTRALIA) & PLAB (UK) TRAINING AT YEREVAN STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, ARMENIA. It’s a mandatory program which will be commenced for the international medical students from their 3rd year to prepare for the ACT 16/ERPM (SRI LANKA), AMC(AUSTRALIA), PLAB (UK). Sri Lankan students will be trained to sit for the ERPM (Act 16). The students will no longer have to go for classes back in their home countries after completion of their program. YSMU is the first university to provide the ACT 16/ERPM (SRI LANKA), AMC (AUSTRALIA), PLAB (UK) to help the international students from their university.

The Armenia Medical Education Fair was graced by Professor Yervand Sahakyan (Vice Rector for external Affairs & International Partnership MD, Associate Professor) Dr.K.H. Margaryn (MD) Dean of international students, Head of Foreign Student Department, Head of Career Center and Dr. Chinthaka Prasad Gunasekara (YSMU representative)

The medical faculty of Yerevan State University was founded in 1920, it received the highest award for training highly qualified specialists and for its great contribution in the field of public health. YSMU is 100 years old and the entire program is conducted in English Medium. The University is also registered under Sri Lankan Medical Council (SLMC).

To legally practice as a doctor for medical graduate they should go through a medical licensing exam. Most countries require a medical license approved by the specified government and the Medical Board. These licenses are not granted automatically; this process requires an examination to filter the right candidate to practice as a medical doctor in the specified country.

The Examination for Registration to Practice Medicine (ERPM) in Sri Lanka is conducted by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) for citizens of Sri Lanka who obtained their medical qualification from medical schools overseas. There are four parts – Parts A, B, C and D. Part A is the written component containing True/False type multiple choice questions and Single Best Answer questions. Part B is an interactive assessment in clinical/practical problems. Part C is an oral examination on Emergency Medicine. Part D is the written component containing True/False type multiple choice questions in the theoretical and practical aspects of Community Medicine and Forensic Medicine.

Since Yerevan State Medical University programs are fully in English medium it is an advantage for the students when they are facing the PLAB-(UK) exams. The PLAB (UK) test provides the main route for International Medical Graduates to demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to practice medicine in the United Kingdom

Australia is one of the prestigious and sought after country to practice as a doctor for the most of the medical graduates. The average pay for a Physician / Doctor, General Practice is AU$59.84 per hour. The average pay for a Physician / Doctor, General Practice is AU$102,445 per year. To practice as a medical doctor the medical graduate should go through AMC exams.

The Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams are for international medical graduates’ eager to practice medicine in Australia.

• Yerevan State Medical University is enlisted with the World Health Organization (WHO) and is recognized by SLMC (Medical Council of Sri Lanka), GMC (General Medical Council) of U.K.
• It is a non-commercial leading Government medical University in Eastern Europe.
• Total duration of the Graduate Course is 6 years.
• Annual tuition fee is 5500 USD for the 1st year and thereafter 5000 USD annually for the corresponding years.
• The tuition fee remains unchanged for the whole duration of the course. Contract is signed at the time of the admission. Tuition fee is paid annually before commencement of each academic year.
• Annual first year hostel fee is 600 USD.
• Fee to be transferred to the University’s bank account through electronic bank remittance.
• Academic session commences from 01st September.
• Career Centre provides free special FMGE classes for students and free tablets are provided to selected students.
• Separate hostel wings for boys and girls.
• International hostel is centrally heated and is provided with basic amenities. The hostel complex has a Wi-Fi equipped study/ reading hall, event hall, conference rooms, canteen, laundry service, hot & cold running water, buffet and mess.
• University provides complimentary breakfast in the hostel on all working days. Students do not pay for the electricity or heating and have an access to 24-hours medical care service.
• International food chains like Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, Cinnamon, Pizza-di-roma are very popular in the city.
• Average annual personal expenditure is approx. 1500 USD for food and local transportation.
• All the students must have Medical Insurance during the whole period of study.
• Many graduates work successfully in various prestigious hospitals in India, UK, USA and European countries. Only in California, USA more than 500 university graduates carry out practical work.
• After completion of 2nd year of medical school, excellent students can participate in medical scientific work of Scientific Research Centre at YSMU.
• The University has summer & winter sport camps and resorts in different parts of Armenia. Special non-expensive rates are available for foreign students.
• Summer vacations are of 8 to 10 weeks in June/ July till August end.
• After submission of all the required documents, eligible student appears for an admission exam conducted by the University officials at New Delhi and Kochi. Admission letter is issued the same day after successfully passing the exam and interview. Prior Registration with the Official Representative is a must. Date of the Test to be confirmed from the Representative.
• The University arranges student entry visa to the Republic of Armenia.
• There are several routes to reach Yerevan, Armenia (via Moscow, Vienna, Dubai, Sharjah and Zurich).
• The students are received by the University official at the airport upon arrival at Yerevan.
• ‘Student Residency Card’ is arranged by the University after student’s arrival at Armenia.
• MD. ‘Physician’ degree is awarded upon successful completion of the course.
• YSMU offers Post-graduate Courses in 27 medical disciplines.

• Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU) is enlisted in the Directory of Higher Medical Institutions adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Post-graduation in 27 specialties.
• Two sessions yearly: starting October and March.
• Duration of the course is 2 to 4 years depending on the specialty.
• Annual tuition fee is 5500 USD for the first year and thereafter 5000 USD annually for the corresponding years.
• Fee has to be paid annually and has to be transferred to the University’s account through bank remittance.
• International hostel is centrally heated and is provided with basic amenities. The hostel complex has a Wi-Fi equipped computer hall, reading room, laundry service and mess. Students do not pay for electricity or heating and have an access to 24-hours medical care service.
• University provides a complimentary breakfast on all working days to those staying in the hostel complex.
• International food chains like Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, Cinnamon, Pizza-di-roma are very popular in the city.
• Furnished accommodation can also be rented at affordable rate in the city.
• Muslim food imported from other countries is also available.
• The Yerevan State Medical University has summer & winter sport camps and resorts in different parts of Armenia. Special non-expensive rates are available for foreign students.
• Admission is subject to availability of a seat in the preferred specialty.
• Attested documents should be sent in advance for confirmation of the seat in the selected discipline.
• The University will arrange student entry visa to the Republic of Armenia.
• There are several routes to reach Yerevan, Armenia (via Moscow, Vienna, Sharjah, Dubai and Zurich).Medical Insurance is mandatory during the whole period of study.
• Candidates will be received by the officials at the airport upon their arrival at Yerevan.
• “Student Residency Card’ would be arranged by the University after student’s arrival in Armenia.

There are 5 faculties and 102 academic departments conducting wide spectrum of both theoretical and clinical studies. 

Faculty of General Medicine

• Foundation date: 1920
• Duration of study: 6 years
• Degree awarded: M.D. “Physician’
• Average number of students per year: 650

Both local and International students study theoretical as well as major professional and allied clinical disciplines. Students having good and excellent academic performance and displaying interest in research workings are offered sub-specialization in narrower fields of medicine. Learning is characterized by an emphasis on independent and self-directed study, as well as developing professional competencies and skills in working with patients and mastering the application of current medical equipment and calculating techniques. Teaching is conducted in English and Armenian. 

Faculty of Stomatology (Dentistry)

• Foundation date: 1961
• Duration of study: 5 years
• Degree awarded: Doctor of Stomatology
• Average number of students per year: 260

The Faculty educates and trains stomatologists (dentists), who practice in the field of stomatology. Students study theoretical as well as major professional and allied clinical disciplines ranging from therapeutic, orthopaedic, surgical and paediatric stomatology to propedeutics and prevention of stomatological diseases. 

Faculty of Pharmacy

Faculty of Military Medicine

• Foundation date: 1964
• Duration of study: 6 years
• Degree awarded: MD ‘Physician’ in the field of General Medicine in Military Forces
• Average number of students per year: Based on demand of seats

The majority of the Faculty graduates serve at frontiers as heads and doctors of medical service and military units. Curriculum and educational program of the Faculty are regularly updated to reflect major academic aspects of the program employed at higher military medical institutions abroad. 

Faculty of Public Health

TEACHING FACULTY

The faculty consists of assistant professors, lecturers and clinicians who work at the theoretical and clinical departments simultaneously managing patients at clinical hospitals. Student – Instructor ratio at the University is 1 : 8 i.e. one instructor for eight students. Average age of faculty member is 47 years. Within the last 5 years 450 physicians (involved also in teaching) and instructors have left for the U.S., Austria, Germany, France and other countries to participate in seminars and various conferances aimed at improvement of professional competencies and skills. Teaching is carried out in small groups. The number of students in each group from first to third year of study doesn’t exceed that of 14; in fourth and fifth year of study doesn’t exceed that of 12, and in the sixth (graduate) year doesn’t exceed that of 8.

YSMU is a large community campus encompassing administrative and academic buildings, Heratsi University Hospital Complex N1 with its fourteen clinics, an outpatient clinic, diagnostic laboratories, and ancillary facilities. In total, the University has 462 auditoriums for student groups. 

• Total number: 1055
• Faculty at Clinical Departments – 750
• Academicians – 3
• Doctors of Sciences – 158
• Ph.D. holders – 461
• Assistant Professors (not holding a Scientific degree) – 435
• Senior Laboratory Assistants – 229 (7 of them hold Ph.D. degrees)
• Research Officers at the Research Centre – 177 (69 of them hold Scientific degrees)

Post-Graduate Education

• Two Sessions: October & March
• Subject to availability of the seat in the desired specialty

YSMU has more than 15 specialized hospitals with the latest apparatus, equipments and monitors where medical students are well trained. They are given an opportunity to provide competent medical services to the public as well as to carry out practical research work. International students also familiarize in different specialized clinics with outpatient services as well as more complicated cases in the concerned departments. This outpatient clinic provides medical care to paediatric and adult population. Family physicians provide the medical care bringing forward narrow specialized and laboratory-diagnostic services. There also exists the service of speech therapist, as well as a physiotherapeutic cabinet. RA Genetic Centre is located at the “Muratsan” University Outpatient clinic, where diagnostic and dispensary control of hereditary diseases is maintained.

Apart from the above mentioned facilities and services, Yerevan State Medical University owns certain clinical bases/platforms structured into medical centers and hospitals. These bases/ platforms are as follows:

• Armenia Republican Medical Centre (740 beds)
• Mikayelyan Institute of Surgery (110 beds)
• Malatia Medical Centre (124 beds)
• Shengavit Medical Centre (67 beds)
• Erebouni Medical Centre (750 beds)
• Nairi Medical Centre (100 beds)
• Grigor Lousavorich Medical Centre (526 beds)
• Nork Republican Infectious Clinical Hospital (300 beds)
• Kanaker-Zeytun Medical Centre (200 beds)
• S. Malayan’s Eye Centre (125 beds)
• Sourb Astvatsamayr Medical Centre (368 beds)
• Sourb Nerses Mets Medical Centre (116 beds)
• Haematology Centre after Prof. R. Yeolyan (90 beds)
• Armenicum Clinical Centre (50 beds)
• National Oncological Centre after V.A. Fanarjyan (500 beds)
• Maternal and Child Health Centre (300 beds)
• Artmed Medical Centre (192 beds)
• Outpatient Clinic at Grigor Narekatsi Medical Centre 

All these multidisciplinary clinical hospitals and outpatient clinics provide students and clinical residents an educational platform which offers the opportunity to deal with all types of patients. The clinical experience is based on core training at University’s clinical hospitals and centres. The students and clinical residents actively participate in the primary care services as well as complex care of challenging.

Apart from the above mentioned facilities and services, Yerevan State Medical University owns certain clinical bases/platforms structured into medical centers and hospitals. These bases/ platforms are as follows:

• Armenia Republican Medical Centre (740 beds)
• Mikayelyan Institute of Surgery (110 beds)
• Malatia Medical Centre (124 beds)
• Shengavit Medical Centre (67 beds)
• Erebouni Medical Centre (750 beds)
• Nairi Medical Centre (100 beds)
• Grigor Lousavorich Medical Centre (526 beds)
• Nork Republican Infectious Clinical Hospital (300 beds)
• Kanaker-Zeytun Medical Centre (200 beds)
• S. Malayans Eye Centre (125 beds)
• Sourb Astvatsamayr Medical Centre (368 beds)
• Sourb Nerses Mets Medical Centre (116 beds)
• Haematology Centre after Prof. R. Yeolyan (90 beds)
• Armenicum Clinical Centre (50 beds)
• National Oncological Centre after V.A. Fanarjyan (500 beds)
• Maternal and Child Health Centre (300 beds)
• Artmed Medical Centre (192 beds)
• Outpatient Clinic at Grigor Narekatsi Medical Centre 

All these multidisciplinary clinical hospitals and outpatient clinics provide students and clinical residents an educational platform which offers the opportunity to deal with all types of patients. The clinical experience is based on core training at Universitys clinical hospitals and centres. The students and clinical residents actively participate in the primary care services as well as complex care of challenging.