Minutes
The 2nd Faculty of Medicine is proud and happy to have international students. We want to emphasize the quality of the medical education in English, just as we do it in other classes that compose the schools profile. To motivate good students, we will refund 50 % of the tuition of the best students, as announced previously
www.lf2.cuni.cz/en/predpisy-a-navody/statut-a-vnitrni-predpisy-fakulty/ostatni/motivation-plan-letter-from-the-dean.
Our response to the students' comments follows (ordered as they appeared at the meeting)
O. Hrušák, Dean
Library, a possibility of borrowing books without a deposit of CZK 1000 (has been discussed several times, problem of penalizing students when they leave the faculty or the Czech Republic)
Decision: we will guarantee the same service (foreign and Czech) to all students who have signed up to the current school year.
Sports – voluntary only, students can enroll if they want (for this academic year there was a note on the notice board that those who are interested can contact Ms V. Svobodová).
This has been discussed with the head of the Dept. of Physical Education. Since the next semester, our international students will have the opportunity to sign up to any day together with the Czechs. 3rd Medical School international students wanted to have their own day (I believe it was Friday), this will remain and our international students are welcome to use that day.
Considering that the faculty intends to organize only one term of entrance exams in September, the preparatory course (in Dobronice) will not take place.
Orientation day/week. We plan to do it, starting from the next semester (day, not week).
Textbooks in English are not available
The school will not push our teachers to translate their notes (‘skripta’) to English. The quality and choice of English-written texts are good. We will try to buy more books for both Czech and international students. At the moment, however, we cannot guarantee that there will be enough books for all.
Logbook printed only in Czech – an English translation can be obtained from the Study department (with respect to continuous comments of the departmental heads to its content an English version has not been issued.
Graduation ceremony in ENG with respect to the small number of graduates, international and Czech students are joined together, should there be enough graduates (at least 15) there is a possibility of an individual ceremony in ENG. However graduates can make the speech of thanks in ENG.
Bad structure of Czech language lessons/courses.
One side of the problem is the attendance of the classes. On the other side, the classes should have a clear structure (this is missing according to the students – clear milestones in the teaching)
This is a point to improve – discussed and assigned to the new head of the Dept. of Languages.
The students are obliged to speak a basic Czech by the 4th year so that they can communicate with patients. Failure to do so is not compatible with the study at our Faculty of Medicine!
‘Big Brother/Sister’ System.
The students who volunteer to show the newcomers the whereabouts will be given a simple web-based system by which each will be contacted by the newcomer(s) (mostly 2). We will be happy to hear the experiences of these Big Brothers and Sisters.
No handouts are usually available, at least on the web.
Handouts are not so widely used (same as in Czech classes) compared to studies abroad. We will promote this type of teaching.
A question of accommodation, which is being solved every year and unsuccessfully. Dormitories and number of free spaces are determined by University (Chancellor's/Rector's Office) and the faculty has no chance to influence it. Even in the past it was solved by the vice dean and vice chancellor but always with no result. Some dormitory personnel can speak no English.
As the first step, the ‘Big Brother/Sister System’ might help with this.
Difficulties with orientation in Motol University Hospital, Department on Plzeňská, ...
Again, the ‘Big Brother/Sister System’ might help with this. We are preparing the new web together with a better navigation how to get to various depts.
Suggestion to mix the nursing classes to promote Czech language skills.
We are currently not thinking about this.
Latin is pointless, a student says.
Latin is an integral part of studies also for the Czech students. We currently do not want to change the curriculum just for the international students regarding Latin.
One point raised by email afterwards.
The admission system.
Starting from the 2007, the applicants will be asked to say whether they were recommended by another student of our school. If they are accepted and they did not go through an agency, the recommending student will get money equal to 10 % of the first year tuition. Details will be announced later.
