BISHKEK (Education and Science Ministry of Kyrgyzstan press service) — Within the framework of a working visit to Pakistan, the Minister of Education and Science of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Beishenaliev met with the President of the Pakistan Medical Commission Arshad Taqi. and resolved the issue of medical schools in Kyrgyzstan.

Last October Pakistan black-listed all Kyrgyz medical schools, and discouraged its citizens from enrolling in them.. The reason given was that 90% of Pakistani graduates from Kyrgyz universities were unable to pass the compulsory examination of the Pakistani Medical Commission, and therefore their diplomas were not recognised in their country. It was later reported that Pakistan had withdrawn four of these schools from its blacklist.

The Kyrgyz medical schools were put in different lists by the Pakistan Medical Commission. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry, Pakistani citizens who have graduated from universities in A, B and C lists of the Pakistan Medical Commission, will have unhindered access to the exams of the Medical Commission. These three lists are:

• A: international, independently accredited educational institutions;
• B: educational institutions that have passed independent accreditation, but have not passed international accreditation;
• C: non-accredited and new medical schools.

Recently opened medical schools will be included in a separate list at the request of the minister.

Pakistani citizens can freely apply to all educational institutions included in the lists mentioned above.

At the same time, the issues arising between the two parties due to differences in the curriculum were resolved comprehensively in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, the ministry added.

In addition, during his visit, Almazbek Beishenaliev met with the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission Tariq Banuri. The parties agreed to establish the Kyrgyz-Pakistani Science Foundation. The Education Minister of Kyrgyzstan agreed with the Minister of Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood to promote academic mobility between the universities of the two countries.

It is also planned to exchange experience with the Pakistani side on the development of state standards for professional education.