In 2018, the Institute of Medical Education was established at Almazov National Medical Research Centre by order of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. The Institute of Medical Education is the first higher education institution in Russia based on a research centre.
Today marked the inaugural graduation ceremony for General Medicine students, and we can confidently conclude that the first scientific and educational experiment has been a resounding success.
A total of 67 specialist’s students and two master's students, hailing from 24 regions across Russia, received their diplomas. Of these graduates, over 30% graduated cum laude.
The graduating class of 2018 are goal-oriented and motivated to study and research. They participated in forums and exhibitions, had time to engage in social activities and immerse themselves in high culture of St. Petersburg. The 2024 graduates are patient-centered young professionals, armed with knowledge and experience, ready to carry their noble mission as doctors.
The ceremony was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including federal executives, representatives of legislative and executive authorities of St. Petersburg, as well as teachers and parents of graduates.
The graduates were addressed by Valentina Matvienko, Chair of the Federation Council of the Russian Federal Assembly, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Almazov Centre, Vyacheslav Volodin, Chair of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly, Mikhail Murashko, Russian Minister of Health, and Professor Leonid Roshal, President of the Research Institute of Emergency Pediatric Surgery and Traumatology, Children's Doctor of the World.
Chairman of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly Alexander Belsky and Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov sent congratulatory addresses.
Andrey Fursenko, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, spoke about the challenges of establishing a higher education institution on the basis of a research centre.
Sergey Kabyshev, Chair of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education, confirmed that lawmakers have decided to consider the possibility of spreading the scientific and educational experiment of St. Petersburg throughout Russia.
Oleg Ergashev, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg, highlighted the crucial role of training highly qualified medical professionals for our city. During the challenging period of the pandemic, students and teachers at Almazov Centre, under the leadership of Evgeny Shlyakhto, were at the forefront of combating the epidemic.
The ambitious project of establishing a higher education institution on the basis of a cutting-edge research centre has been met with great interest and admiration. Its remarkable success is a testament to the remarkable collaboration between federal and regional authorities, legislators, scientists, and medical practitioners.
Evgeny Shlyakhto, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Director General of Almazov Centre, along with Elena Parmon, Director of the Institute of Medical Education, extended their heartfelt congratulations to the 2024 graduates, faculty and parents on the successful completion of the six-year programme.
The graduation ceremony included the physician’s oath, which was solemnly recited by yesterday's students to the Dean of the Medical Faculty, Galina Kukharchik. The Almazov Centre Choir, conducted by Elena Nivina, winner of an international competition, performed the Centre's anthem, the lyrics of which were written by second-year student Ivan Demakov. The «time capsule», which will be opened by experienced doctors in 10 years' time, was handed over to the director, Elena Parmon. In the finale, everyone went up on stage to the song “Russia in my heart “, after which the first tree of graduation-2024 was planted in the courtyard of the Institute of Medical Education and 67 hearts with wishes were signed.
«We are a young university, and we've got so much room to grow! I am sure that many great achievements lie ahead of us,» said Evgeny Shlyakhto at the end of the ceremony.
