Koch Metchnikoff Forum: international contacts of the University entered into a new phase

On September 2, 2014 Professor Otari G. Khurtsilava, Rector of NWSMU n.a. I.I. Mechnikov and Professor Helmut Hahn, Chairman of the Koch Metchnikoff Forum, signed an Agreement on academic cooperation in the field of research and educational activities.

In the framework of a three-day visit of the representatives of the German delegation the long-awaited document for the both parties was signed by Professor O.G. Khurtsilava, Rector of NWSMU n.a. I.I. Mechnikov, and Professor Helmut Hahn, Chairman of the Koch Metchnikoff Forum, in the presence of Vice-Consul Mr. Jan Peter Schmidt, the representative of the Consulate General of Germany in Saint-Petersburg.

The framework Agreement is about appropriate and equal partnership, which means the direct contact of all participants of the parties: staff exchange to conduct joint researches, training, internships; participation of students, undergraduates, PhD and doctoral students in educational exchange programs; cooperation in the development of training and educational materials, joint research programs, seminars, conferences and symposia; joint publications of scientific achievements and many other things.


The importance of cooperation with the Koch Metchnikoff Forum can hardly be overestimated. This is an authoritative non-profit organization which unifies professors of four German Universities and works much in the development of medicine and enhancement of professional contacts between our countries. Its chairman is microbiologist Helmut Hahn is a foreign member of the Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation. The representatives of the government structure keep listening to the suggestions of the Forum participants. The very idea of ​​building up the Koch Metchnikoff Forum was first announced in 2004 in Hamburg, Germany, and it was implemented at the sixth meeting of "Petersburg Dialogue" in Dresden. The Agreement on German-Russian cooperation in the field of medicine was signed in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on October 10, 2006. Thereafter it was developed and implemented joint program for infectious diseases control which nowadays is the most significant current joint project in Russia and Germany in the field of Preventive medicine.

The contract with the University was not restrained on the signing, because one of the tasks of delegation was to get acquainted with the educational process at NWSMU n.a. I.I. Mechnikov in order to improve the interaction mechanisms in the implementation of the Master's program in "Public Health", started on September 1, 2014.

It should be noted that the program developed by NWSMU n.a. I.I. Mechnikov according to the Federal state educational standard of higher education meets the requirements for Master training programs in Public Health (Master of Public Health, MPH) in European countries and corresponds to the requirements of two universities in Northern Europe. Universities of Germany are on the agenda.

That is why the presentation of the strategic development plan of the University made by Rector of NWSMU n.a. I.I. Mechnikov O.G. Khurtsilava caught the keen interest of German colleagues. After the delegation met A.V. Silin and A.V. Meltzer, Vice-Rectors of NWSMU n.a. I.I.Mechnikov; Heads of 17 departments involved in the Master program, the coordinators of 28 training modules, as well as Master's Degree students. They participated not only in the discussion, but also made interesting presentations, which allowed to compare approaches in Preventive medicine in Russia and in Germany.

Professor Timo Ulrichs representative of the Akkon University in Berlin, Vice-President of the Koch Metchnikoff Forum, shared the results of scientific approach to the problems concerning tuberculosis. Professor Moris Höck, Head of the Department of preventive programs under the Ministry of Public Health of Germany raised issues related to the hospital hygiene. Ms. Diana Hart, Officer of the Ministry of Public Health of Germany reported on the primary prevention in the frame of the compulsory insurance scheme. Barbara Lachhein, specialist in occupational health, talked about the history of this issue and the maintaining of health on the workplace in the frame of national and international labor market. Professor Klaus Dieter Reichert, Member of Parliament of Germany, reported on the leadership and management in medicine, which differs significantly from leadership in other fields of activity.

German colleagues left with impressions made by meetings and concrete issues from Russian partners, related to further activities for improving the modules of the educational program, which meets international standards. In the nearest future it will be determined by joint efforts the scope and forms of international concern in the implementation of Master Programs.



There was the feeling that NWSMU n.a. I.I. Mechnikov with Mechnikov followers in Germany and in Russia keeps right direction, it creates a clear system of educational technologies, which allow to introduce educational products-on-demand. It means that innovative activity is predicted and is carried out at an adequate level; at the same time thanks to the academic mobility it opens opportunities and new horizons for all participants in the educational process. The Master Program "Public Health" is the first step.