A Doctor from Nepal to become a 100 000 alumnus of RUDN University

RUDN Rector Vladimir Filippov conferred Diploma 100,000 on Bhattarai Hari from Nepal, who graduated RUDN Medical Institute with honors.

There are more than 7,500 international students from 154 countries studying at RUDN mostly majoring in medicine, law, dentistry, linguistics, international relations, philology, economics, civil engineering, oil and gas business and pharmaceutics. A lot of students come to study agronomy, maths, physics and chemistry. The countries sending most students are China, Vietnam, Syria, Namibia, SAR, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Cote d’Ivoire and Columbia.

The selection of candidates for the nomination “RUDN Graduate 100,000” was done in 2 stages – dozens of candidates were suggested by faculties and institutes and 9 were finally chosen. Each of them made a video presentation of his or her achievements. Members of the Academic Board chose Battarai, whose parents have already arrived in Moscow to attend the awarding ceremony.

“A doctor should convince patients that they will win over the disease. The Russian diploma will help me save lives in Nepal”, Battarai Hari, RUDN Graduate #100,000

On the advantages of the Russian medical school, disbelief in miracles and the Russian empathy – an interview with RUDN Graduate #100,000, who studied 7 years in the Medical Institute and became an A-student and the leader of Nepalese students of Moscow.

Moscow is 4,900 km from Katmandu. How come you entered RUDN?

I have been dreaming to become a doctor all my life though I don’t have any doctors in my family. When I was 18, I took part in a contest for school students to win a scholarship of the Nepalese government to study medicine abroad. I remember I took exams in biology, physics, chemistry and English. I was lucky to win and chose RUDN, a famous university a lot of friends and relatives had recommended.

Since I study on a governmental scholarship I will have to go back to Nepal, take a professional test, get a license and work minimum 2 years. After I will go to residency and later do my PhD.

There are diseases that do not depend on the region and present global challenges for the humanity. Can one doctor fight them?

We cannot solve all problems and fight all diseases. So far I don’t believe in miracles but I do believe in science and practical skills. I haven’t chosen my specialization yet, now I am interested in cardiology. Though in Nepal the most widely spread are gastrointestinal infections. When I was in my third year I started research of Nepalese eating habits to compare them with habits of other countries, find drawbacks and finally considerably prolong people’s lives. My supervisor was a professor from RUDN department of public health, health care and hygiene. What I learnt is that the Nepali eat a lot of rice and almost no meat, which is a huge problem for the country that needs complex approach. I am very grateful to Anna Fomina, Head of department and my research supervisor Anna Tadjieva who helped me collect and analyze enough data to implement the results in practice.

Now you are a qualified professional. What would you change in the health care system in Nepal?

What I like about Russia is up-to-date medical technologies and the system approach to prophylactics and therapy. One more thing is that education is practice-targeted, during my studies I was lucky to undergo internship in a few Moscow hospitals where we saw real surgery, discussed interesting cases and made diagnoses.

I am dreaming of becoming a cardiologist in a state clinic in Nepal and later also teach at a university. I have many friends who are doctors – they studied in Nepal and graduated before me, and I know for sure that Russian and Nepalese education systems are different. Joining the experience we can achieve a lot .

Talking about your first days in Moscow – what were your first impressions?

I came to Russia October 6, 2010. I didn’t know a word of Russian and I thought that Russians never smile. Students from Nepal met me in the airport. I was stunned when I first saw Moscow! I was very impressed by the different colors of the leaves on the trees- it was amazing! The first days of my first winter made me very happy, though in February I wished it would end. What I missed a lot was my usual food especially fresh mango, but we cooked various national dishes. Russians turned out to be very friendly and hospitable people who like to drink tea, which makes them even warmer and nicer. I lived all the 7 years on campus and always felt that there are friends around. It is very difficult to be leaving now and say good-bye to my neighbors from Uzbekistan and Russia. 

I am also amazed by the attitude of teachers to the students who know your name, say hello and remember about your interests. In my first year we had a very difficult subject- histology, our professor was Olga Savrasova. It was 7 years ago and a few days ago she saw me passing by and said “Hari, how is your final exam?” It is so nice when people really want to know the answer when they ask you “How are you?”

People think that medical students do nothing but study. You are an A-student – you must be literally living in the library.

It is true that future doctors do study a lot. I remember my first exam session – I was very afraid that my Russian is not too good but I got excellent grades, and that gave me courage and hope.  It is not good to spend all the time indoors reading, you need fresh air and new impressions. Life is not only studies. I have a lot of friends in my group- we travel together. I’ve been to different places in Russia during my holidays.

My friends are from different countries – Martin from Chile, Diana from Columbia, Ahmed from Afghanistan, Verica from Macedonia, Sasha from Russia and many more … I have a very nice memory that will stay with me all my life – a surprise party my friends made for me in my first year – they each cooked a national dish. By the way since then one of my favorite dishes has been the famous Russian salad.

Of course I am in touch with all the students from Nepal who study at RUDN different faculties. Once we compiled a book of poems and stories about Russia in the Nepalese language – a present to the country that gave us good education.

Imagine that you are 18 again, would you come to Russia to study at RUDN?

At 18 everybody is afraid to make mistakes, but we always make mistakes when we try to reach our aim. Learn to make conclusions and become stronger and smarter. Do not be afraid, just work hard. Do not hesitate whether to go study abroad or not. If you are given such a chance, take it. You will definitely get unusual experience and knowledge.

If I had to start again I would still choose Russia – a country of smart and sincere people. I would never opt for any other university but RUDN – a world in one street! RUDN has given me a lot. Firstly, it is good education- I will work for the benefit of my country and the world. Secondly, RUDN has taught me to be a real diplomat – I can communicate with any patient no matter what language he or she speaks. And finally, I have numerous colleagues all over the world to share knowledge and experience with, and in our profession this is extremely important!

What is recognition for you?

Recognition for me is not a money prize or fame. I want to achieve my own professional goals. For example, cure as many people as I can. I want to feel that I am good at what I am doing. I want to become one of the best doctors in Nepal and whole Asia.