TNMU Continues Implementation of the Academic Partnership Program within the USAID “Development of a Sustainable Public Health System” Project
Ternopil National Medical University continues the implementation of the academic partnership program between universities of Ukraine and the USA as part of the USAID “Development of a Sustainable Public Health System” project. This project is implemented in partnership with Pact, which includes Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Philadelphia Health Federation, Swiss Institute of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, European Institute for Public Health Policy, GS Coalition for vaccination, Oversee Strategic Communication and national partners of the Ministry of Health, Public Health Center, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
It all started with the fact that in February 2024, representatives of the Academic and Research Institute of Nursing presented TNMU in the competition for participation in the partnership of universities from the USAID project “Development of a sustainable public health system”, which is designed to improve the training of personnel in the field of mental health services and psychosocial support.
In March, by decision of the selection committee, Ternopil National Medical University was included in the academic partnership program between universities of Ukraine and the USA. The program is aimed at building human resources in the field of mental health, namely:
- cooperation of educational institutions of Ukraine and the USA with the aim of training a new generation of mental health specialists who possess scientifically based knowledge and skills;
- providing training of existing mental health personnel at the national, regional and local levels;
- review of existing academic nursing programs in Ukraine and comparison with the requirements of partner universities, providing recommendations for improving existing programs;
- development of strategies for the development of teaching staff for all partner institutions and disciplines with the aim of ensuring the effectiveness of teacher training and reforming educational programs, sharing educational experience and promoting cooperation.
In April 2024, a coordination meeting of partner universities in the field of “Mental health and psychosocial services” was held in Uzhhorod.
Vita Slavopas, Deputy Director of the Academic and Research Institute of Nursing, made a presentation and introduced TNMU as part of the partnership program.
In April, a two-day orientation meeting of partner universities was also held to develop further activities. On the first day, our university was the host. The program of event included familiarization with USAID project activities, consensus building – mission, vision and activities, telecast with partners from Philadelphia took place.
The result of the meeting was the planning of further steps, namely:
- creation of a consortium of universities;
- assessment of the needs of specialists working in the field (focus groups);
- professional development / training for universities together with partners from the USA, study tour;
- writing legislative recommendations for the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Health, the National Academy of Sciences;
- organization of further activities.
In the future, it is planned to organize a series of online meetings with project teams of universities, monitoring visits, joint events and activities, training and supervision.
The information and photographs were provided by Vita Slavopas.