International Scientific Cooperation and New Opportunities for Students of the Educational and Research Institute of Pharmacy at TNMU
Associate Professor of the Department of Pharmacy Management and Economics with Drug Technology at I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Olena Pokotylo, has successfully completed the three-month mentoring program “Scientific Diaspora for Ukraine,” implemented on the initiative of the Ukrainian Science Diaspora.
Within the framework of the program, the lecturer had the opportunity to work under the mentorship of a leading Ukrainian pharmaceutical scientist, Associate Professor Ivan Yurchenko, who carries out his professional activities at the College of Pharmacy of the University of Manitoba (Canada). The program contributed to the development of international academic connections, the exchange of experience in scientific research, and the establishment of new areas of cooperation between higher education institutions in Ukraine and Canada.
One of the practical outcomes of participation in the program was the involvement of five students from the Educational and Research Institute of Pharmacy at TNMU in the international scientific and educational project “From Insight to Design: The Art of Research Proposal Writing.” Over the course of a month, the students worked on mastering the fundamentals of preparing a high-quality research proposal in English, studied modern approaches to developing scientific ideas, and learned how to structure future research projects.
The final stage of the project was an international online meeting during which Ukrainian students joined the defense of research proposals presented by their Canadian peers. Participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with 23 scientific projects devoted to issues relevant to the Canadian healthcare system, including the expansion of the professional role of pharmacists, public health issues, prevention of priority diseases, accessibility of medical and pharmaceutical care, and innovative approaches to the treatment of socially significant diseases, particularly oncological conditions.
At the same time, TNMU students presented their own research proposals, which will form the basis for promising scientific directions in their future qualification papers. Work on the project enabled the students to complete all key stages of preparing scientific research: from formulating a research question and scientific hypothesis to defining the object of study, conducting a literature review, substantiating the relevance of the topic, selecting research methods, and forecasting expected results.
Special attention was paid to the development of academic writing and scientific communication skills in English. Participants improved their ability to logically structure scientific information, critically analyze literature sources, present their own viewpoints in a well-argued manner, and communicate research findings to an international audience. In addition, the students gained practical experience in creating scientific posters and delivering short oral presentations in English, including defending their own research ideas in a three-minute presentation format.
Participation in such international projects is of great importance for the professional development of future pharmacists. It contributes to the formation of both professional competencies in scientific research, evidence-based pharmacy, and academic writing, as well as general skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, teamwork, and intercultural interaction.
The experience gained significantly strengthens students’ academic portfolios and opens new opportunities for participation in international scientific initiatives, conferences, and grant programs. At the same time, such cooperation allows young researchers to better understand the prospects of their own scientific careers in the pharmaceutical field.
The staff of TNMU expresses sincere gratitude to the program mentor, Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy Ivan Yurchenko, for his professional support, openness to cooperation, and creation of opportunities for involving students in the international scientific community. We also extend special thanks to the organizers of the mentoring program “Scientific Diaspora for Ukraine” and the Ukrainian Science Diaspora initiative for developing effective mechanisms of interaction between Ukrainian scientists in Ukraine and abroad, contributing to the professional growth of young researchers, the expansion of international academic connections, and the integration of Ukrainian science into the global scientific community.
