112 medical students have finished their studies at the Pontifical Catholic University Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) are asking that the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT) to allow the university to graduate them. This request was filed after the MESCYT ruled that these students were not eligible for graduation because they had finished their education online, affirming that the students needed to finish their practice in-person. This practice is also known as the Internship, which lasts for one full year, and would have ended in early May 2020, if it were not for Covid-19. It will be recalled that all of the interns serving in the public and private health facilities were withdrawn in mid-March after the epidemic’s onset.
The students argue they have completed their academic calendar online, as have students at many other universities, both public and private. The medical students say that the Ministry’s demand is “unfair” and not at all “responsible”, since it does not take into consideration the work and sacrifice of the students, as well as the extraordinary circumstances that affected the completion of their internships.
The students could well lose a whole year if they are not permitted to participate in the PUCMM graduation scheduled for 20 June 2020. It is noted that the university only celebrates the graduation of its medical students once a year, and if they do not graduate this year, they will have to wait until 2021.
For medical students, this is critical. They need to have graduated to take the Unique Exam for Residencies (supposedly held in March of each year), begin a medical residency, and continue with their future studies and work.
Also an important factor and not very well known, is the fact that student loan payments kick in as soon as their studies are completed. Depending on the university, these payments can be north of RD$10,000 a month, and, while deferments are often granted, this just adds to the debt since interest still accumulates. Both parents and students have requested both the PUCMM and the MESCYT to allow the graduation to occur.
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Diario Libre
1 June 2020