The brand new E-Learning Centre supported by the WHO was officially launched at the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MNUMS) on 1 December. Two LCD screens, a table, few chairs and most importantly the fibre optic internet connection and teleconference facilities enable the University to open distance learning credit courses at its three branches in Gobi-Altai, Dornogobi and Darkhan-Uul provinces.
The AGFUND-funded and WHO-managed “Capacity of rural health care workers in Mongolia using distance learning program” project also provided teleconference facilities and video cameras to the three branches of the University. The project also funds five to eight interactive training materials to be used by the faculty, doctors and students.
“Regardless of their location professors and lecturers now are able to receive the latest knowledge in the medical field, updated professional information, and even trainings in institutional culture and communications in real time,” says the MNUMS President, Dr Batbaatar Gunchin. “Moreover students who are studying in the branch universities will be able to sit in the lectures of esteemed professors based in Ulaanbaatar.”
The university will offer pre-graduation and post-graduation trainings and even practical classes via the E-Learning Centre using its high-tech facilities with excellent image and sound features.
“This project would not have been possible without an investment the Mongolian government made into development of the ICT as well as a dedicated support by the Ministry of Health and Sports,” said Dr Soe Nyunt U, the WHO Representative in Mongolia, during the launching ceremony. He further underlined that the Mongolian government has invested significantly in building the ICT infrastructure including setting up a fibre optic network enabling virtually an unlimited internet access and communication between national centers based in the capital Ulaanbaatar and all provinces (aimags) and almost all sub-provinces (soums).
Currently over 80% of over 360 soums in Mongolia are already connected to cyber space via a fibre optic cable network.
The WHO-managed allocation of the AGFUND’s funding worth of 300 million MNT (150.000 USD) for setting up the E-Learning Centre at the MNUMS and its three branches as well as production of interactive training programmes on various public health subjects, like Primary Ear and Hearing Care, COPD, Аsthma, Allergic Rhinitis, Chronic Kidney Diseases, is a demonstration of taking full advantage of the good internet connectivity in Mongolia.
The E-Learning Centre will also be used for vocational trainings of doctors, nurses and health professionals from aimags and soums.
Dr Soe Nyunt U has encouraged the three branch university faculty and students to excel in their specialized fields of study so they, in return, can also be offering lectures and trainings to the colleagues in other branches and in the center. Dr Soe Nyunt U also underlined the importance of switching to the paperless technology. “There is no more need for us to print anything. WHO will not support any printing unless absolutely necessary. Make use of electronic media and ICT technology to your advantage,” advised Dr Soe Nyunt U and wished that teaching and training conducted by the MNUMS will soon reach international standards.
MNUMS President Batbaatar Gunchin has thanked the WHO on behalf of the MNUMS faculty and students for contributing to the development of public health sector in Mongolia and particularly to improvement of the quality of teaching and human resources capacity in Mongolia.
The launching ceremony was attended by Head of the MNUMS Board, ex-Minister of Health, Mr. S Lambaa, MNUMS’s senior management, WHO, ADB and Global Fund representatives.