Peculiarities and challenges of double degree programs between Japanese and Russian medical schools

Introduction: Niigata University School of Medicine and Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences have been engaging in medical exchanges with Russian medical universities for over 30 years. In 2015, a double-degree program with Russian medical universities was initiated, lea...

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Main Authors: Shihoko Yamakawa, Olga Razvina, Fumiko Okazaki, Hiroshi Hibino, Toshiyuki Someya, Tatsuo Ushiki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: National University of Singapore 2025-07-01
Series:The Asia Pacific Scholar
Online Access:https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/taps/peculiarities-and-challenges-of-double-degree-programs-between-japanese-and-russian-medical-schools/
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author Shihoko Yamakawa
Olga Razvina
Fumiko Okazaki
Hiroshi Hibino
Toshiyuki Someya
Tatsuo Ushiki
author_facet Shihoko Yamakawa
Olga Razvina
Fumiko Okazaki
Hiroshi Hibino
Toshiyuki Someya
Tatsuo Ushiki
author_sort Shihoko Yamakawa
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Niigata University School of Medicine and Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences have been engaging in medical exchanges with Russian medical universities for over 30 years. In 2015, a double-degree program with Russian medical universities was initiated, leading to a multi-layered education project that included short-term undergraduate student exchange programs and graduate-level double-degree programs, resulting in the circulation of human resources. Methods: The program was conducted in English, and a maximum of 15 credits could be transferred based on the universities' regulations. Degree examinations were conducted independently, and successful candidates were awarded degrees from both Niigata University and their home university in Russia. The project was overseen by the G-MedEx Centre at Niigata University, which included staff with international experience. Results: The difference in standard study duration between Japan and Russia was eliminated by using a four-year system in the graduate school doctoral programs. Three study models were proposed by Russian universities, considering each university's regulations and various circumstances. The curriculum was determined based on the rules of the universities in Russia and the circumstances of the students. Agreements were made with each university in supplementary documents. Conclusion: Despite the differences in educational standards and the lack of a common educational framework between Japan and Russia, the difficulties can be overcome, and educational compatibility can be increased.
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series The Asia Pacific Scholar
spelling doaj-art-8407cd04e7eb4385b2aecdb66dbcd1762025-08-20T03:07:28ZengNational University of SingaporeThe Asia Pacific Scholar2424-93352424-92702025-07-011035910.29060/TAPS.2025-10-3/GP3504Peculiarities and challenges of double degree programs between Japanese and Russian medical schoolsShihoko Yamakawa0Olga Razvina1Fumiko Okazaki2Hiroshi Hibino3Toshiyuki Someya4Tatsuo Ushiki5Niigata University Institute of Global Affairs, JapanNiigata University Medical Education Centre, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, JapanNiigata University Medical Education Centre, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, JapanDepartment of Pharmacology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, JapanNiigata University, JapanNiigata University, JapanIntroduction: Niigata University School of Medicine and Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences have been engaging in medical exchanges with Russian medical universities for over 30 years. In 2015, a double-degree program with Russian medical universities was initiated, leading to a multi-layered education project that included short-term undergraduate student exchange programs and graduate-level double-degree programs, resulting in the circulation of human resources. Methods: The program was conducted in English, and a maximum of 15 credits could be transferred based on the universities' regulations. Degree examinations were conducted independently, and successful candidates were awarded degrees from both Niigata University and their home university in Russia. The project was overseen by the G-MedEx Centre at Niigata University, which included staff with international experience. Results: The difference in standard study duration between Japan and Russia was eliminated by using a four-year system in the graduate school doctoral programs. Three study models were proposed by Russian universities, considering each university's regulations and various circumstances. The curriculum was determined based on the rules of the universities in Russia and the circumstances of the students. Agreements were made with each university in supplementary documents. Conclusion: Despite the differences in educational standards and the lack of a common educational framework between Japan and Russia, the difficulties can be overcome, and educational compatibility can be increased.https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/taps/peculiarities-and-challenges-of-double-degree-programs-between-japanese-and-russian-medical-schools/
spellingShingle Shihoko Yamakawa
Olga Razvina
Fumiko Okazaki
Hiroshi Hibino
Toshiyuki Someya
Tatsuo Ushiki
Peculiarities and challenges of double degree programs between Japanese and Russian medical schools
The Asia Pacific Scholar
title Peculiarities and challenges of double degree programs between Japanese and Russian medical schools
title_full Peculiarities and challenges of double degree programs between Japanese and Russian medical schools
title_fullStr Peculiarities and challenges of double degree programs between Japanese and Russian medical schools
title_full_unstemmed Peculiarities and challenges of double degree programs between Japanese and Russian medical schools
title_short Peculiarities and challenges of double degree programs between Japanese and Russian medical schools
title_sort peculiarities and challenges of double degree programs between japanese and russian medical schools
url https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/taps/peculiarities-and-challenges-of-double-degree-programs-between-japanese-and-russian-medical-schools/
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