BUEA, Cameroon -- Saint Monica University: The American International University today announced that it has hired a leading Russian Narcology expert to become the University’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Professor Rafael Bisaliev comes to Saint Monica University (SMU) from Astrakhan State University, Russia, where he was Head of the Department of General Psychology, Professor of Psychology, and a leading Narcology expert in Russia.
As Provost, Prof. Bisaliev is the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University, directly assisting the President (Vice Chancellor) and representing the president where necessary. As Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA), he is the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) of the institution, directly supervising the Deans of the various Schools, the Office of the Registrar, the University Library, and the Office of Institutional Research.
“We are excited to have someone of Professor Bisaliev’s academic qualifications and experience joining our executive council,” said Professor Januarius Jingwa (JJ) Asongu, President and Chief Executive Officer of SMU. “Professor Bisaliev is an outstanding, motivated, and progressive team leader who will be leading a team of faculty and staff committed to the education of students and the advancement of scholarly research. He will provide support service for academic departments and faculty hiring; and coordinate new faculty mentoring programs, annual reviews, promotion, and tenure processes. The VPAA also coordinates new degree programs, campus awards, work with Faculty Senate, and oversee accreditation activities and program reviews.”
“After working in Russia for many years, I thought the time had come for me to gain international experience and SMU is perhaps the best place to begin, given its international dimensions,” said Prof. Bisaliev, the newly appointed Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at SMU. “I like challenges and I want to contribute to the building of a new and progressive university. I intend to contribute to both the administrative and academic health of SMU, introducing new programs in health care and other disciplines. I am impressed to find scholars here from various countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Nigeria and a host of other countries.”
Prior to coming to SMU, Prof. Bisaliev has had a rich career in Russia which includes serving as a Professor of Psychology and Head of the Department of General Psychology at the Astrakhan State University, Russia, from 2008 to 2013. Before being raised to the rank of Head of Department, he was an Associate Professor of Morphology of the Person at the same university. Between 2000 and 2006, he was an Assistant Professor of Narcology and Psychotherapy at the Astrakhan State Medical Academy (ASMA) in Russia. Narcology is the study of drug and alcohol abuse and associated treatments. This is an important medical specialty first developed in Russia and Prof. Bisaliev plans to introduce it in Cameroon. Before becoming a full-time academic, Prof. Bisaliev was a practicing medical doctor. Between 1999 and 2000 he was a Psychiatrist at Astrakhan Psychoneurological House (Boarding School). He has over 12 years of experience as a medical doctor, with most of his work in the area of Psychiatry.
Prof. Bisaliev holds a Doctor of Science (DSc) in Medical Sciences (specializing in Psychiatry). This is the highest academic degree in Russia, which he earned in 1999 from the St. Petersburg Institute for Doctor Improvement in Russia. From 1992 to 1998 he studied at the Astrakhan State Medical Academy (ASMA), Russia, earning the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD) as well as the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). He has also received further training in Basic English Language Skills from the Astrakhan Academy of Professional Management (2008), Technology and Documentary Support for Higher Institutions Seeking Accreditation and Licensing from the Moscow Agricultural Academy (2007), Application Informational Technologies in Education from the Astrakhan State University (2007), Specialized studies in Narcology (Psychiatry) from the Moscow State Medical University (2004), Specialized studies in Psychotherapy from the Ryazan State Medical University (2004), and Psychiatry from the Astrakhan State Medical Academy (2003).
As a successful academic, Prof. Bisaliev has published several scientific works on various subjects including the following eight manuals; four monographs (Auto-Aggressive Behavior in Opiate Narcomania, Suicide Behavior in Alcoholic Families, Auto-Aggressive Behavior in Sick Families, and Rehabilitation of the Sick by Narcomania); and various papers on Psychiatry for Clinical Psychologists, Anatomy of the Central Nervous System, Physiology, Hygiene of Respiratory System, and Medical Psychologist in Establishments of a Narcological Structure. He is currently also working on a book on General Psychology. He also has methodical recommendations on “Behavioral frustration and methods of their correction at children and the teenagers who are brought up outside of family.” He is a leading scholar on Narcology and has received three federal grants for research in this field in the highly competitive grants environment in Russia.
About Saint Monica University: The American International University
Saint Monica University (SMU) is an American-style Christian institution, offering programs that are at the intersection of the liberal arts, science and technology. It is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social, entrepreneurial and professional development of a diverse student population. SMU is focused on the student experience and helping our students achieve their educational and career goals, and contributing to a more sustainable society. We offer various bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees through the School of Arts & Education (SAE), School of Business & Public Policy (SBPP), School of Health & Human Services (SHHS), and School of Science, Engineering & Technology (SSET). SMU is a fully accredited institution in Cameroon by the National Commission for Private Higher Education at the Ministry of Higher Education. For more information about SMU, visit our website: http://www.stmonicauniversity.com or write to us at admissions@stmonicauniversity.com.
