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Development of Regional Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences |
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The
collaboration with first class institutions and the support granted from
European countries, mainly Sweden and Germany promoted the development of
regional Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences at the different Central
American Universities. Most of these graduate agendas have been initiated at the
Microbiology, Medicine, Pharmacology and Veterinary Faculties or Schools,
following the successful models of Germany
and Sweden.
The founding of regional programs was strengthened by the strong links
established among the different investigators that have been trained under the
framework of Central American graduate programs in Biomedical Sciences during
the last 15 years (e.g. KIRT). Most of the programs began as Master´s training
with emphasis in tropical diseases and several are in the process of evolving
into Ph.D. training programs.
The rational for the regional MSc and Ph.D. programs is to collaborate in academic courses and in the exchange of students and scientists. It is expected that each Central American country will contribute its expertise in specific disciplines and take advantage of the strengths that each academic group possesses. The exchange of professors and courses within the region provide excellent opportunities for comprehensive regional training programs. In this direction several MSc. Programs in Biomedical Sciences have been initiated at the different Central American Universities. In 2002 a PhD program based at the University of Costa Rica initiated activities. The profile of this program has been based in the experience gained during the Ph.D. project in collaboration with the Karolinska Institute. The German Model
In
1981 an agreement was established between the German government (Federal
Republic) through the "Deutschen Akademischen Austauschdients" (DAAD)
and the "Consejo Superior Universitario Centroamericano (CSUCA) concerning
academic training for students from the six Central American countries: Costa
Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras. The DAAD-CSUCA
Program received financial support from the German government and was
established within the framework of the Master of Science (Msc.) Regional
Graduate Programs. The DAAD-CSUCA program has been devoted to training in
several disciplines, including biomedical sciences.
Students
from one Central American institution were to carry out their academic and
research activities within the Graduate Program of another Central American
University, according to the regulations dictated by the Host University.
Applications to carry out studies in their home countries were not permitted.
The students had to conclude their studies within a period of 2-5 years. On
obtaining the MSc. degree the students were given the opportunity to further
their training in Germany by applying directly to the DAAD in Germany, being
subject to the regulations of the Host University. The approximate number of
MSc. students who graduated in biomedical sciences during the 1981-1994 period
has comprised almost 40% of the total fellowships conferred by the DAAD, mainly
in the fields of Medicine, Microbiology, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Epidemiology
and Veterinary Medicine. Alternatively, Central American students could apply
directly to the DAAD for graduate training in Germany. Students choosing this
option had to take an intensive German language course in Germany for six months
before initiating their graduate training at a German university for a period
ranging from 2-6 years. The Program also included 3 to 12 month fellowships for
Central American academics for postdoctoral training in Germany, and visits of 1
to 24 months of German scientists to Central American institutions. The total
number of students who graduated in biomedical sciences at Central American
universities under the DAAD Program during this period was approximately 50.
Similarly, the total number of Central American students who graduated in
biomedical sciences during a 15-year period in Germany has been almost 90. The
total number of postdoctoral fellows in biomedical sciences is estimated at 50.
The Swedish model
During
the course of the year 1987 a relationship was established between the
Karolinska International Research Training (KIRT) Program and the Consejo
Superior Universitario Centroamericano (CSUCA) to foster research and academic
training of students from six Central American countries: Costa Rica, Panamá,
El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras. The KIRT-CSUCA Program received
financial support from SAREC and was established within the framework of a
Master of Science (MSc.) in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS). The Program was designed
to train Central American scholars in Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology,
Immunology, Biochemistry and Epidemiology. Central American scientists working
at Central American universities wrote research proposals, from which Swedish
scientists at the Karolinska Institute selected specific projects. Students
carried out academic and research activities in Central America and Sweden under
the supervision of both Central American and Swedish tutors. After a 2.5-3 year
period, the students wrote their dissertations and submitted them to an Academic
Committee at the Karolinska Institute for evaluation; the Karolinska Institute
then extended the MSc. degree. The second and third MSBS Programs were renewed
by SAREC for the periods 1990-1993 and 1993-1996, respectively.
Representatives from Central American universities and KIRT began discussions on the creation of a "Doctorate Program (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Sciences" in 1992. Evaluation of the KIRT-CSUCA Program to date concluded that: "the MSBS Program succeeded in creating strong research collaboration and academic relationships between Central America and Sweden. The program graduated a considerable number of technically well trained students at the MSc. level, but was not sufficient to promote independent scientists in Central America". The Ph.D. Program was considered to be the next step to be taken in order to increase "the critical mass of highly skilled scientists (at the Ph.D. level) qualified to perform independent research activities and capable of leading research groups in Central America." Subsequently, two Ph.D. Programs were finally approved by SAREC: the first was approved in September 1993, for the period 1993/1996, and the second was approved in March 1997 for the period 1997/2000.
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