Vitebsk State Medical University turns good samaritan

On the 26th of December Ameethu Lebbe Mansoor a medical student in Vitebsk State Medical University was informed of the horrific news that his family had been a victim to the fury of the tsunami.

His father and his brother died, and his mother and sister survived the horrific day, but have suffered a permanent damage, his mother is disabled due to what happened, his house was washed away and all his property was damaged, all the livestock and fishing boats owned by his family were all damaged or washed away by the tsunami! On hearing what had happened to one of their students the university had immediately arranged for his return to Sri Lanka, bearing all costs and making all the necessary arrangements for Mansoor to return home to his family.

The then Vice Chancellor of Vitebsk State Medical University, Prof. Diakalo V. P. on hearing about what had happened to one of his students, went all out of his way to help Mansoor and secured a scholarship for him, he spoke to the Chancellor and currently the Deputy Prime Minister, Prof. Koznits A.N. and the health ministry officials, who manage the Medical university in Republic of Belarus, and secured a full scholarship for the education fees.

The hostel fees were completely borne by the university and he was also further recommended and receives an allowance from Vitebsk State medical University to meet his daily needs. Today with the help of his friends, university officials, his lecturers and all others who supported him during his darkest periods, Mansoor's life has returned to normalcy.

"The tsunami had left a great impact on my life; it took away my beloved father and brother-in-law. It left my mother disabled and my sister helpless, our houses, cattle and fishing boat were all washed away, I thought my life was over, but my University and Professor Diakalo, Chancellor VSMU, have changed it through the scholarship they offered me". The scholarship was possible because of the staff of PATHE Academy, who helped me in getting all the necessary documents from Sri Lanka.

Mansoor states, that he is confident that all students who graduate from Belarus will easily pass the ACT 16 since the quality of teaching, the medium being English and the extra lessons the university has organized for Sri Lankan students according to the ACT 16 examination syllabus.

The university is one of the first in the region to be recognized by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (over 40 years) and in over 96 countries including Maldives, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, France, Africa, Scandinavia and Japan. The university has had foreign students from over 96 countries and today there are foreign students from over 40 countries studying in various faculties.