A Historic First for SUMS & Kazakhstan

 International student defends Master's thesis in Medical Journalism

SUMS School of Paramedicine recently held the successful Master’s thesis defense of its first international student in the Medical Journalism program. Kulyash Zhilisbayeva, a dedicated student from Kazakhstan, successfully defended her research in a virtual session joined by faculty members from both SUMS and West Kazakhstan Medical University (WKMU).  Notably, she is the first person to earn a master’s degree in this field in Kazakhstan.

The defense session was attended by the Dean of the School of Paramedicine, faculty members from the Medical Journalism department, and a distinguished panel of both domestic and international examiners. The hybrid format of the session ensured that the academic exchange remained seamless, allowing for a high-level scholarly discussion between the two institutions.

According to the Dean of the School of Paramedicine, this success serves as a turning point in the internationalization of the faculty’s academic programs. It demonstrates the scientific expertise of the faculty and the growing capacity of SUMS to attract and train global talent in niche fields like Medical Journalism. Following this success and recent coordination, WKMU will now refer its prospective Medical Journalism Master's applicants directly to SUMS Office of Vice Chancellor for International Affairs.