Foreign Medical studies? Exclusive Interview with Industry Expert
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In Sri Lanka, the advanced level examination serves as a benchmark for students. Every single parent is preoccupied with their child higher educational options. If the child has chosen bio stream, it’s evident that being a doctor is their ultimate dream. Thus it is a pretty challenging task to get enrolled in to a Sri Lankan state university due to Z-score selection system. So the next best alternative they have is to send their child to a prestige foreign university to obtain equitant qualifications to become a world recognised doctor.
Then, parents face a challenge to find a reputable, trustworthy, experienced foreign higher education provider to safely fulfill the child dream without falling victim to a swindler who steals their hardearned money.
As to educate parents on the process of achieving the dream of being a doctor, we have organized an interview with Dr.Lasantha Amarakoon, the Chairman of REC Campus - with more than 26 years of excellent service in the industry.
QCan you please first explain about the foreign education experience that you have?
A- I first graduated from Tver State Medical University in Russia with a medical degree. Then I had been working in government hospitals in Sri Lanka. now, I am residing in Australia.
Q Didn’t you face any obstacles while studying abroad at the beginning?
A- Yes, Of course, in those days, sending a message, paying money, There is no one to help you. specially if someone sick there were no one to help you. So to overcome those difficulties I thought of establishing REC. That was the main reason for why I established REC in 1996.
Q That means if we send a student through REC, students do not face those obstacles?
A- Absolutely Yes. To provide them with the finest service, we have appointed a representative for each state medical university. They serve them around the clock regarding the matters of education, health, security and there personal issues until graduation.
At present, how many students are studying in these state medical universities?
QA- I am happy to say that currently there are more than 1600 students studying in our representative state medical universities not only Sri Lanka but also from other countries and the number of annually registering students is being increased significantly.
Q What is the secret behind this rapid growth?
A- That is simple. The trust that REC has earned and the high quality of service we provide is what matters most. There is a strong network of students, passed out graduates and parents who truly trust us and remained with us for a long time .
Secondly, we charge the lowest agency fee in Sri Lanka. We are service-oriented rather than profit-oriented. Therefore, we want to provide our clients the best possible service.
Some institutions and social media campaigns could be seen during the past that tried to harm your image, but still the number of new students has been increased. Can we know the reason behind this?
QA- The majority of our new students are referred by current students, graduates, and parents. We mostly do not concentrate on major advertising campaigns. Instead, we rely on wordof-mouth to recruit students. That is the best source of promotion as I believe because they have witnessed what we had done and what service we had given them. Therefore, they recommend us and we value their recommendations by offering them the best service.
Q Is there a minimum requirement recommended by Sri Lanka Medical Council?
A- Yes. Two credit passes and one simple pass from Biology stream is the required result. The students, who have achieved this minimum requirement, can register for ERPM and work as a doctor in Sri Lanka.
Is there any opportunity for the students who could not gain this minimum result?
Q A
Yes. That is a good question. There are foundation programmes which are equivalent to Advanced Level exam which are conducted by universities and foreing education institute. We can guide students to gain a medical degree if they complete such a foundation programme and they can work in abroad as doctors.
Q Does REC Campus provide foreign medical education opportunities?
A - Yes. We do direct admissions to the universities without third party agents and I am happy to inform everyone that the first educational awareness programme with the participation of the Vice Rector of Gomel State Medical University, is to be conducted on 19th of February (Sunday) at 10.00AM at REC Campus premises. You all are invited to participate the seminar to get more information about the foreign medical education. Contact 0711-101010 for more information.
Q What are the other representing medical universities that are recognised by WFME (WHO)?
A- There are many. Some of them are: Kursk State Medical University – Russia Grodno State Medical University – Belarus Gomel State Medical University – Belarus RUDN (People’s Friendship University) – Russia Tver State Medical University – Russia Riga Stradins University – Latvia (EU)
QWhat are the steps to be followed by a student who plans to study Medicine?
A- The first step is to register at REC Campus and join our FREE Introductory courses in Medicine, Russian Language and English Language. These courses are offered free of charge.
Secondly once you complete the MBBS degree, you can face ERPM (Examination to Register Practice Medicine) and work as a doctor in Sri Lanka.
Thirdly, if you are interested settling down abroad, you can face AMC (Australian Medical council), USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination), PLAB -United Kingdom and settle down in that particular country.
Can someone complete AMC / PLAB / USMLE without coming to Sri Lanka?
Q
A- Yes of course. The students can apply for internship in that relevant university for free or payment basis.
Do you provide assistance for the exams such as AMC / USMLE / ERPM / PLAB?
Q
A- Yes. REC together with partner bodies such as Edcare, conducts online programmes to support students under the supervision of a prestigious lecture panel.
That means if someone gains a medical degree through REC, he/ she definitely will get a working opportunity either in Sri Lanka or abroad?
QA- That’s correct. REC Campus always makes your dreams come true. Being a doctor is no longer only a dream. Get your right decision now as this is the changing point of your child’s life. The future of your child will depend on this.