Basics of Project-Based Activity’ Course: Advancing Research Skills at SKMA

Starting from the new 2024-2025 academic year, the Department of Medical Biophysics and Information Technologies at South Kazakhstan Medical Academy (SKMA) has introduced the course "Basics of Project-Based Activity," which is implemented as part of the integrated discipline "Basics of Project-Based Activity and Evidence-Based Medicine." This course aims to develop students' skills in working with scientific data and carrying out project activities.
According to the approved plan for the implementation of project-based learning at SKMA, one of the key aspects of the program is close collaboration with the Academy's Library and Information Center. As part of the discipline, students are provided with guided visits to the center, where they receive consultations on registering with international scientific databases and are taught effective methods for searching relevant literature. Through this, students learn to properly handle literary sources, which significantly enhances their scientific research skills.
Additionally, great emphasis is placed on modern project management tools. Representatives from the Department of Distance Education Technologies provide consultations on using Trello, a popular tool that helps students organize their projects, track progress, and work collaboratively in teams. This greatly simplifies the project-based learning process, making it more transparent and manageable.
This innovation has been successfully implemented thanks to the high professionalism of the faculty and their attentive approach to each student. Students are actively engaged in the learning process, eagerly adopting new technologies, and demonstrating excellent results. The faculty, in turn, creates favorable conditions for mastering the discipline by applying innovative teaching methods and motivating students to achieve success.
Thus, the new course contributes to the development of students' scientific foundation and skills in evidence-based medicine, which are essential for conducting future research projects and building a successful professional career.