A considerable number of students of medicine think they do not have as much literature as they need. Jointly with their professors, they found a temporary solution, using some old textbooks that do not include new methods and breakthroughs in medicine. Except for those fortunate students and professors who speak English and are able to learn from textbooks in this language.
Some students found another interesting way of filling the void of the professional literature. They use the scripts that were compiled from notes taken during lectures, and the most important information collected from the available literature, or they use the scripts that were drafted by professors.
R.Z., student at the Department of Medicine, who wanted to remain anonymous, explains that the library not only lacks the textbooks they need, but also the existing textbooks and atlases are out of date. She says that some professors require from students to read from the additional literature in English in case they want a higher grade.
Other students of this department, also agree that the literature is insufficient, and they consider that it would be more productive if they had more contemporary textbooks and atlases.
Consequently, following on the complaints of the students and professors, the University of Prishtina, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), three years ago boosted the library of the Department of Medicine with 42 new titles one thousand copies each. These books were taken from the most recent American scientific literature and translated into Albanian by professors of medicine from Albania.
The librarian at the Department of Medicine, Saranda Shaqiri, says that these books are used extensively by researchers, but there are also students who are interested. However, she in part criticizes the project that provided them with books.
“It would have been better if there were more titles and less copies for each book”, Shaqiri says.
Bekim Saramanxha, head of the Department for Development, Monitoring and Quality of Higher Education at the Ministry of Education, explains that the number of titles to be translated was limited by the budget. Even if the number of the copies was decreased, funds would not have been sufficient to translate more textbooks, he says.
On the other hand, Saramanxha says that for the time being they are not planning similar projects.
“The project was not very welcomed by professors themselves, maybe because they want to use their own books”, he says.
Hatixhe Pupovci, a physiology professor at the Department of Medicine says that her students do not use the translated textbook for the respective course, for it is not available at the library.
The new translated textbooks, though in a considerable number, are not available neither at the National Library, nor at “Hivzi Sulejmani” library. Both libraries, even though they have not been provided with the translated textbooks, have medicine textbooks though they agree that there should be more textbooks available.
Zelfije Rexhepi, information officer at the National Library, says that students of medicine are very interested to study at the library. But, she also claims that a great part of the literature they have is not only outdated, but also written in Serbo-Croatian, which presents a problem for many students, especially for those who do not speak this language.
Fatime Mehmetaj, head of “Hivzi Sulejmani” library, says that they have prepared the list of the textbooks needed to complete the required literature for students of medicine.
They have started filling the shelves, and among medicine textbooks, there are also textbooks in English donated by USA, which will naturally be used only by those who speak English.
A 2016 survey conducted by “Hivzi Sulejmani” library, showed that its members would have preferred more scientific books in the library. Mehmetaj says that their wishes will be fulfilled with the assistance, as in previous years, from funds made available by the Municipality of Prishtina.
Bulza Çapriqi
