Russia grants 20 medical students scholarships

By Njoki Chege

Russia has offered scholarships to 20 medicine students from Kenya.

Alexey Saltykov, deputy head of mission at the Russian Embassy said the students would join Tver State Medical Academy.

"This is one of the cheapest medical schools in the world and we believe this will be a wonderful opportunity and exposure for the students," said Saltykov.

The medical academy, which was founded in 1936, has about 5,000 students of which 1,200 are from 50 countries around the world.

The academy in collaboration with the University of Nairobi’s School of Medicine is involved in a joint research programme, which will facilitate student and lecturer exchange programmes. So far, only one Kenyan medicine student is studying at the university.

"We are extremely pleased by this move as it will boost the quality of education as well as research, particularly on HIV and Aids vaccine," said the secretary of Higher Education, Prof Kaane Hest.

World class

"We have signed agreements with other world class universities such as Harvard and many others in India and Germany. We hope Kenya will join this list," said Sayed Kamruzzaman, the Deputy Dean of Foreign Affairs.

Students who wish to join this university on self-financed scholarships should apply online on www.tsma.ru.

The Russian higher education standards are considered to be one of the best in the world.