A few days after the inauguration of the academic year of the single-cycle master’s degree course in Medicine and Surgery in English at the University of Parma, based in Piacenza, some students are expressing their concerns.
They speak through the voice of Andrea Bandiera, 20 years old, who is in his second year at Palazzo Portici, where the lessons are held. It is not the first time they have done this, already last January they sent a letter to the rector Pietro Martelli with 204 signatures at the bottom.
Overall, there are 320 students on the course. “But we are still waiting for a meeting with the rector” says Bandiera.
CRITICAL ISSUES REMARKED BY MEDICAL STUDENTS IN ENGLISH
Among the critical issues mentioned by the future doctors is the lack, at Palazzo Portici, of a classroom in which to study – “we have to adapt to doing it at the tables next to the coffee machines” says Bandiera – and the information regarding the internships, but also the few workshops carried out so far – “are fundamental, we hope to be able to attend more of them”.
Last but not least, the request for a headquarters secretariat. “We often found ourselves not knowing who to turn to for more or less urgent matters” the students say in this regard.
“The idea of a new university here in Piacenza is in itself very beautiful – states Bandiera – just as Palazzo Portici is also beautiful, but the feeling of being second class students compared to those in Parma remains”.
THE REASSURANCES OF THE RECTOR PIETRO MARTELLI
“In addition to our students, I reassure the city – he replies the rector of the University of Parma, Pietro Martelli – what we wanted in Piacenza is an important course, for which we have assumed responsibility also towards the Piacenza area”. He then goes into detail about some of the problems indicated in the letter.
“Having said that four actors are working around the course: the university, the Local Health Authority of Piacenza, the Municipality and the Opera Pia Alberoni” says Martelli “I’ll meet the guys soon, but I want to bring them concrete answers, so I am collecting information.” The rector admits that the logistical situation is “not optimal”, but explains that something has moved on the internship side.
“This week there will be meetings for define internships of the second year which will take place in the summer, which will see the students divide into groups of 20 people to attend the research and diagnostic laboratories”.
“For the clinical internships that will start next year – he adds – a list of students who need an Italian language proficiency exam has been prepared; In fact, there are many foreign students on our courses and a knowledge of the language is essential to allow you to interact with patients in the hospital.”
Regarding the secretariat, he recalls that “there was a person who took care of it, but he asked for the transfer”, immediately adding that “a replacement will arrive soon” and also mentions the “restoration of Palazzo Portici underway, which will make new spaces”.
“I want to be clear – he closes – we opened the course with the idea of carrying out quality training, but aware of the fact that at the moment there are logistical difficulties”.
Tags: Medical students Piacenza critical issues rector reassures
