The Rector of LSMU received a delegation from the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan
On 21 September, a delegation of the National Academy of Sciences (KNMA) of Kazakhstan visited the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU): The President of KNMA Prof. Kunsulu Zakarya and KNMA Vice President Dr. Lyazzat Yeraliyeva
The guests were welcomed by LSMU Rector Prof. Rimantas Benetis, Head of the Research Centre Prof. Dr. Ingrida Ulozienė, Vice-Dean of the International Relations and Study Centre Alvidas Sarlauskas, Director of Medicine and Nursing at Kaunas Clinics Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Prof. Kęstutis Stašaitis.
The aim of the delegation of Kazakhstan is to discuss cooperation opportunities between LSMU and the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan (KNMA) under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The President of KNMA, a prominent scientist, doctor of Biological Sciences Prof. Z. Kunsulu stressed that LSMU is a highly valuable and respected partner in Kazakhstan, and that scientists from both countries have long-standing ties.
Rimantas Benetis, Rector of LSMU, Head of Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, is an honorary professor of the Republic of Kazakhstan who has performed many surgeries in hospitals in this country. The University has students from Kazakhstan, and LSMU actively cooperates with several scientific and study institutions and hospitals in this country.
The growing scientific potential of Kazakhstan
Honoured guest Prof. Z. Kunsulu said that high-level research and the practical application of their results in Kazakhstan are currently receiving increased presidential attention. The President of the KNMA presented the main changes in this area.
The National Council for Science and Innovation, established last year, is accountable directly to the President of the country, new programmes and legislation are being developed, funding of promising research programmes and projects is being increased, and cooperation between science and business is encouraged.
KNMA aims to fully promote scientific development, carry out the most important and promising scientific research, implement scientific and technical innovations, apply them in the economy of the country, bring together scientists in order to ensure economic, social, state, legal and cultural development of Kazakhstan.
As Kazakhstan is rich in valuable minerals, research in this field is being accelerated and the aim is to attract investors to commercialise the scientific results. International branches of higher education institutions are opened at the universities of the country. In addition to the development of the programme “Boshak” for a quarter of a century, which provides scholarships for students and doctoral students studying in international higher education institutions, a funding programme for post-doctoral internships was launched, providing 500 grants for the internships of young scientists.
Presented huge opportunities for LSMU
During the meeting, LSMU Rector Prof. Rimantas Benetis, Prof. I. Ulozienė and Prof. K. Stasaitis presented LSMU activities and huge potential in the fields of science, studies and clinical practice.
According to the Rector of LSMU Prof. R. Benetis, the development of science is a priority area of LSMU activities, so the growing opportunities for cooperation are relevant and interesting. The Rector reminded that research and clinical practice of cardiology at LSMU – traditionally very strong and still developing areas, emphasised the University’s leadership in developing a healthy personality from the youngest age.
The activities of LSMU as a country and internationally known scientific centre were presented in detail by Prof. I. Ulozienė who was pleased with the latest news: The conclusions of international experts who assessed LSMU research activities in line with the research fields are very favourable.
Presenting the possibilities of the university hospital, Prof. K. Stasaitis emphasised that the clinical and scientific activities of a wide range of fields are developed in Kaunas Clinics Hospital, ranging from family medicine to molecular, genetic and nuclear medicine.
During the meeting, specific possibilities of cooperation were defined in working groups, and the return visit to Kazakhstan were discussed.
During the next visit to the University, the representatives of the National Academy of Sciences (KNMA) of Kazakhstan, accompanied by the Director of Medicine and Nursing K. Stasaitis visited Kaunas Clinics Hospital: they inspected the Gama knife, visited the Department of Paediatrics, Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Nuclear Medicine Unit at the Department of Radiology of Kaunas Clinics Hospital, also met students from Kazakhstan studying at LSMU.