New Delhi, Sept. 23 -- If you are an Indian student pursuing medicine in Kyrgyzstan, there is reason to worry. Several medical universities in the country have failed to secure state accreditation, while some institutions have reportedly received accreditation for only one year despite offering five-year medical courses. The Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan released the results of its review, with 13 medical institutions failing to meet the prescribed standards and consequently not receiving state accreditation.

The institutions that failed to secure state accreditation are Avicenna International Medical University, ADAM University, Royal Metropolitan University (RMU), Altamimi International University, Ala-Too International University, International Medical University (IMU), Kyrgyz Medical and Dental Institute, Salymbekov University, Eurasian International University, Bishkek International Medical Institute (BIMI), International University of Medicine and Science, Central Asian International Medical University (CAIMU) and Osh International Medical University (OIMU).

State accreditation is a crucial requirement for medical institutions. Universities that do not obtain it are not permitted to admit students or issue state-standard education documents. Failure to meet mandatory accreditation requirements can also result in the suspension of an institution's educational licence.

The accreditation exercise was undertaken to assess the quality and standards of medical education across Kyrgyzstan. The review examined several key parameters, including faculty and staffing, availability of clinical facilities, material and technical resources, educational programmes, organisation of the teaching-learning process and the overall quality of specialist training.

Kyrgyzstan has emerged as a popular destination for international students seeking medical education abroad, particularly among Indian students. For Indian students already enrolled in Kyrgyzstan or planning to pursue an MBBS there, the developments serve as a reminder to carefully check the accreditation status of their institution and understand whether its programme and qualification meet the applicable requirements for medical education and practice in India.

Universities in Kyrgyzstan accredited for 1 year only

* Kyrgyz National University named after J. Balasagyn

* Jalal-Abad State University named after B. Osmonov

* Kyrgyz-Uzbek International University named after B. Sydykov

* Issyk-Kul State University named after K. Tynystanov

* Jalal-Abad International University

* University of South Asia (USA), Tokmok

* International European University (IEU)

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.