Anna Sayadyan: “As a future doctor, it is my duty serve my Homeland first”

Hayern Aysor’s correspondent sat down for interviews with some of the participants of the first “Armenia. Create Together” youth forum that are part of the “Medicine and Health” Atelier. The youth forum is organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora, in association with the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Luys Foundation and Ayb Foundation.

Garik Chatinyan (1^st year Master’s student of Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi)

“Luys Foundation included me in this program. I am certain that we will learn a lot from each other. Our atelier also includes students studying abroad and in Armenia, as well as young doctors, one of whom is Allen Chaghlasian, who has graduated from the Royal University of London and has worked in the United States of America. It is obvious that we have a lot to learn from him. Medicine is the science with foundations that don’t change very often, and in that sense, to a certain extent, we are all at the same level, if we compare Armenian medicine with medicine in other countries. However, in narrow specialization, it is obvious that professionals of the West have more experience. They conduct more research, and there are more innovations in their curricula. The main problem is the language barrier since it takes years until the books are translated from English into Russian or Armenian and included in our university’s curriculum, and we stay behind for a couple of years. If students want to receive an education at the current level, they shouldn’t only rely on the knowledge that they receive at the university. They shouldn’t have a problem with language, and in addition to English, they also need to learn other languages. I think German is more current. Doctors from developed German-speaking countries speak, write and communicate in German. The university doesn’t teach us how to work. It provides us with theoretical knowledge. I don’t think any student or practicing doctor can say that he or she can be a practicing doctor with only the knowledge that he or she has received at the medical university. It is safe to say this in the field of therapy because theory and experience are more important for therapy, but in surgery, practice is more important. I have seen many ordinators who have graduated with honors, but didn’t know what to do with bleeding patients in the surgery room. Sometimes they get so confused that they can’t make the right decision. A surgeon needs more experience, while therapists need to have analytical thinking. Surgery requires more spatial notions.”

Tigran Ghardyan (3^rd year student of the Department of General Medicine at Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi)

“I found out about this youth forum from the student council, and the latter sent us. In the beginning, I didn’t have a good understanding of the symbol of this forum and what I had to do, but during my meeting with Mr. Yaghjyan, everything was clear. I am very happy that I have the chance to communicate with Diaspora Armenian students, learn from them and cooperate. This serves as a great opportunity to gain experience. It would be nice, if this youth forum became ongoing.”

Anna Sayadyan (3^rd year student of the Department of General Medicine at Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi)

“I found out about this program from the International Relations Committee of Yerevan State Medical University. I will be working with my elders, that is, the Masters and the students studying at the world’s top medical universities. If I have the opportunity to continue my studies abroad and have the chance to work in the particular country, I will definitely make investments in Armenia and make my contribution to the field of medicine in Armenia because I am Armenian and consider it my duty to use my professional skills for the benefit of my country and my compatriots. As a future doctor, it is my duty to serve my Homeland first.”

Indeed, these promising youth are the ones who will shape the future of our Homeland, the torchbearers of Armenian science, arts and culture, and each of them has the potential. The student of today is one of the pillars of our future, the “sound” of the “bells of the temples” of light and Armenian science. Let us believe in the future!

Karine Avagyan