Below is a transcript of our conversation with Dr. Nailya DeLellis:
David Nicholas:
I'm David Nicholas and this is Central Focus, a weekly look at research activity and innovative work from Central Michigan University students and faculty. We are a global society, but there are barriers to something as universal as healthcare. Countries in the West are the standard and bridging the divides is the work of Dr. Nailya DeLellis, professor of Health Administration at CMU. She has received CMU's International Impact Award for her work with students in her native Kazakhstan. Doctor DeLellis joined me via Zoom to tell me more about the cultures coming together.
Nailya DeLellis:
The problem in health services research in Kazakhstan right now to have their degrees PhD degrees conferred, they have to publish in Western journals. However, the language used, the methodology used, the structure of their research often do not match the requirement of U.S. journals or any western journals. And those are relatively minor things because the research they do is very interesting and very useful. But this barrier prevents many of them to share what they learned, and this is what I am trying to help them with.
DN:
Is this situation unique to Kazakhstan or more something that could be identified as that area of the world in general? I understand your direct connection to Kazakhstan, but do you find that this is potentially an issue that could be addressed in other neighboring countries near Kazakhstan?
ND:
Yes, you are absolutely correct. That's the problem. I would say of many post Soviet countries with a long history of science and research being taught in a very specific way. And right now when they need to, they need to reach the international arena. That's again something that they probably would benefit from help from our faculty.
DN:
The end result would be, what? They can be published in the West. Will this allow them more potential grant dollars to bring to a country like Kazakhstan for their research? Would this allow them to improve those overall colleges and programs of study? Allow them the flexibility to travel more now, and (and) expand their base. What are some of the (the) end goals of having these barriers removed?
ND:
I think whatever you described right now is very nice description of end results because yes, that would allow people in Kazakhstan, researchers in Kazakhstan to disseminate their results, their research. It would allow them to get, let's say, international recognition. And be more competitive at getting grants and funding to continuing to expand their research, and it also will help them, since some of them will become faculty at their schools. It will help them to raise the new generation of students who can do the same or move in (in) the same direction and enhance the health, not only Health Administration. Of course, and hence the research methodology in medical schools there.
DN:
Doctor Delis told me she will continue her work in breaking down the barriers in Health Administration and research efforts in Kazakhstan and elsewhere. She also hopes that other CMU professors will take advantage of the opportunities from the Fulbright Scholarship program to make similar inroads in their respective fields. Well, you have begun that process bridging the gap, a phrase we've used a couple of times in this conversation between East and West and (and) potentially other parts of the. World. The process, streamlining things so that everyone can be more on that level playing field to collaborate and expand these opportunities and certainly commend you on the work to date with your relationship with Kazakhstan. And I hope that the (the the) ventures continue. And that there is further success in making some of these inroads in other areas and in other areas of study. Doctor Nailya Delellis, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us. Congratulations again on the award and we do appreciate your time.
ND:
Thank you. I'm glad to be here. I'm glad to talk to any faculty interested in Fulbright application process.
