The new academic year has begun—a year filled with exams, losses, hopes, and aspirations. These are challenging times for our country, our youth, and our children. Yet, we must remain brave, resilient, and strong, doing everything to ensure that the enemy does not defeat us, so that one day the sun of peace and a blue sky will shine over a free Ukraine once again!
Even small steps taken by our young scientists contribute significantly to the development of national science and the promotion of our university worldwide. In September, a new session of the one-time specialized academic council was held to defend the dissertation of Duan Fanghui, a full-time postgraduate student of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology with Ophthalmology at Poltava State Medical University. Duan Fanghui, a citizen of the People's Republic of China, defended his dissertation titled "Clinical and Functional Features of the Quantitative and Qualitative Composition of the Tear Film in Users of Digital Devices" for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the field of 22 "Health" under the specialty 222 "Medicine."
Duan Fanghui studied full-time at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology with Ophthalmology at PSMU but was forced to leave Ukraine due to the war. He completed his academic component remotely. On January 10, 2024, he re-enrolled in the postgraduate program to complete his research and defend his dissertation. However, the current situation due to martial law in Ukraine prevented him from returning to the country, so he had to defend his scientific work online. Remarkably, Duan Fanghui presented his dissertation and answered questions in Ukrainian.
The dissertation research was supervised by Professor Iryna Bezkorovaina, DMSc, the Department of Otorhinolaryngology with Ophthalmology at PSMU. The one-time specialized academic council included competent experts in the research field: the chairperson was Professor Liudmyla Voskresenska, DMSc, the Department of Otorhinolaryngology with Ophthalmology. The reviewers were Associate Prof. Vita Ryadnova, PhD in Medicine, and Dr. Iryna Olefir, PhD in Medicine, both from the same department.
The opponents were highly qualified specialists in ophthalmology: Professor Halyna Drozhzhyna, DMSc, the Head of the Corneal Pathology Department at the Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy, and Professor Nataliia Malachkova, PhD in Medicine, professor at the School of Health Management, National University of "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy."
The members of the specialized council noted the relevance of the dissertation's topic, the validity of the scientific findings, conclusions, and recommendations. They highlighted the novelty of the research results, the thoroughness of the presentation in scientific publications, and the practical significance of the findings.
The cabdidate for the degree presented his research results with distinction, answered all questions, and demonstrated himself as a qualified specialist and competent scientist. The decision to award the degree of Doctor of Philosophy was unanimously approved by the council members.
In his closing remarks, Duan Fanghui expressed deep gratitude to the brave and powerful Armed Forces of Ukraine, whose efforts ensured the smooth proceedings of the academic council session. He also warmly thanked the Rector of Poltava State Medical University, Professor Viacheslav Zhdan, and the Vice-Rector for Research and Program Director for the PhD in Medicine Program, Professor Igor Kaidashev, as well as all those who organized and facilitated the council’s work.
We congratulate the PhD candidate and his academic supervisor! We wish them continued success in implementing creative international projects that will enrich the scientific treasury of Ukraine!
Wishing everyone a swift Victory! Glory to Ukraine!