Medical education in Mongolia: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract

In the early twentieth century, Mongolia saw the establishment of Western medicine and educational system, supplementing its pre-existing history of eastern medicine. As a lower-middle-income country with vast landmass and low population density, Mongolia’s medical education landscape has evolved significantly. The inception of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences in 1942 marked a pivotal moment, initiating the modern era of medical sciences and specialized training programs in the country. Initially shaped by Soviet Union-styled medical curriculum, the system has undergone substantial reform since the constitutional shift to a market economy in the 1990s. This transformation aligned the curriculum with international standards and modern educational approach, focusing on producing skilled medical professionals. Presently, over 10 public and private institutions of higher education in Mongolia provide comprehensive undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate training for medical training. These institutions vary in student enrollment, teaching staff, learning environments, and program models, contributing to the diverse landscape of medical education in the country.

Keywords:

• Education
• medical education
• medical school
• curriculum
• Mongolia

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Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Oyungoo Badamdorj

Oyungoo Badamdorj, MD, PhD, Professor and Dean at the School of Nursing, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Ryenchindorj Erkhembayar

Ryenchindorj Erkhembayar, MD, MSc, Graduate student at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Bayarbat Gombo

Bayarbat Gombo, MSc, PhD student and Lecturer at the School of Public health, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Baljinnyam Baatarpurev

Baljinnyam Baatarpurev, MSc, PhD student and Senior officer at the Division for Faculty Development and E-Learning, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Dorjbalam Gansukh

Dorjbalam Gansukh, Medical student at the School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Basbish Tsogbadrakh

Basbish Tsogbadrakh, RN, PhD, Lecturer at the School of Nursing, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Oyuntsetseg Sandag

Oyuntsetseg Sandag, RN, PhD, Associate Professor at the School of Biomedicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Tserendagva Dalkh

Tserendagva Dalkh, MD, ScD, Professor and Vice president for Hospital Affairs, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Sumberzul Nyamjav

Sumberzul Nyamjav, MD, PhD, Professor at Department of Medical Education and Legislations, Graduate school, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.