From the 3^d till the 10^th of May 2008 the TSMU delegation headed by the rector, corresponding member of AMS of Ukraine, professor L.Ya.Kovalchuk visited the University of South Carolina, Upstate. First the title of the honoured doctor of the foreign university was obtained by the scientist of the Ukrainian higher medical educational institution – rector of I.Ya. Horbachevsky Ternopil State Medical University, corresponding member of AMS of Ukraine, professor Leonid Kovalchuk.

The collaboration between the Ternopil medical university and the University of South Carolina in Spartanburg lasts for seven years. The delegations of both Universities visited each other. In the publishing house “Ukrmedknyha” a manual about the features of educational process, methodology of teaching at the faculty of Nursing of USCU. At the International Nursing school, that functions at the Nursing Institute in TSMU, the syllabi are identical to the curricula and syllabi Mary Black Nursing School of USCU. The American students are permanent participants of the “Summer international school”, on the base of the TSMU.

«Awarding the title of the honoured professor of University of South Carolina to the rector of TSMU professor L.Ya.Kovalchuk proves his prominent achievements in collaboration between our universities, the achievements in introduction of international educational standards and new model of nursing education in Ukraine» - told the rector of USCU, doctor John Stockwell at the ceremony organized in honour of nomination for the honoured title. President of regional hospital of Spartanburg doctor Ingo of Angemayer became another honoured professor of USCU. Doctor Stockwell also told that awarding of the title of the honoured professor to the rector of Ternopil medical University would stimulate organizing new bridges in health care of the United States of America and Ukraine.

In reply the rector of the Ternopil medical University, corresponding member of AMS of Ukraine, professor Leonid Kovalchuk sincerely thanked that foreign colleagues highly evaluated his work. «For me it is a very important event and honour to obtain the title of the honoured professor of University of South Carolina. I appreciate collaboration with your University and believe that this reward is a good stimulus for further partnership and friendship of both Universities of the USA and Ukraine», – he said.

During the ceremony in honour of nomination for the title of the honoured professor of South Carolina University

Speech of the rector of TSMU L.Ya. Kovalchuk at the ceremony in the University of South Carolina

Honoured professors of the University of South Carolina doctor Leonid Kovalchuk and doctor Ingo Angemayer

with the rector of South Carolina University doctor John Stockwell

This year 712 students of different faculties of University of South Carolina were handed diplomas. Over 7  000 persons were present at the lawn near the administrative building of the University. An extraordinarily solemn atmosphere was at the ceremony.

Over 7 thousand students, teachers and guests were present at the ceremony of handing of diplomas to the graduate students and

awarding with titles of the honoured professors of the University

Handing of the honoured professor’s mantle of the University of South Carolina to the rector of TSMU, corresponding member of AMS of Ukraine, professor L.Ya. Kovalchuk

Honoured professor of the University of South Carolina doctor Leonid Kovalchuk with the rector of University doctor John Stockwell

and the president of seven universities association of South Carolina doctor Sorenson

Rectors of two friendly educational establishments – the Ternopil state medical University and the University of South Carolina Upstate

During their travel the members of TSMU delegation worked hard. They visited a hospital in Spartanburg (one of the most modern in the USA in the use of medical computer technologies), got acquainted with functioning of modern oncology center, visited the operating-room of the future and clinical laboratory, observed the “surgeon-robot” operations, etc. During meetings with the hospital administration agreements were made concerning TSMU teachers training on the base of this medical establishment with the purpose of new medical methods mastering.

The delegation of TSMU visited regional hospital in Spartanburg

Such “robot-surgeon” performs the most difficult endoscopic operations in Spartanburg hospital

Our teachers visited Mary Black Nursing school. There they acquainted with the educational process, and also with the most modern dummies – last units of modern medical technology. The negotiations were held with the dean of nursing faculty doctor Marsha Dowel about further collaboration and exchange of teachers and students.

It was interesting to visit a new building nursing school in South Carolina, the budget of which is 25 million USD.

The TSMU delegation acquainted with modern technologies of building of a new apartment of nursing school

Within the visit the rector of Ternopil University Leonid Kovalchuk had meeting with the leaders of company “Nursing International” and “Cambridge healthcare”. The agreements were made concerning the collaboration in the field of nursing education.

Official meeting of the rector of TSMU professor L.Ya. Kovalchuk with President of the company “Nursing International” Mr. Bill Coleman

Meeting of the TSMU rector professor L.Ya. Kovalchuk with Filipinas students- nurses in the office of “Cambridge healthcare” company