EDITORIAL

The Student Scientific Society of Imaging in Matanzas: A New Opportunity to Bring Research to the Undergraduate Level

Sociedad Científica Estudiantil de Imagenología de Matanzas: una nueva oportunidad de llevar la investigación al pregrado

Shania Naranjo Lima ^1*, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6248-2963

Amisadai Tremols Mesa ¹, https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7196-7523

¹ Matanzas University of Medical Sciences. Dr. Juan Guiteras Gener Faculty of Medical Sciences. Matanzas, Cuba.

*Corresponding author: naranjolimashania@gmail.com

Received: 07/12/2024

Accepted: 14/03/2025

How to cite this article: Naranjo-Lima S, Tremols-Mesa A. The Student Scientific Society of Imaging in Matanzas: A New Opportunity to Bring Research to the Undergraduate Level. MedEst. [Internet]. 2025 [cited access date]; 5:e318. Available in:  https://revmedest.sld.cu/index.php/medest/article/view/318

Dear readers:

On October 29, 2024, within the framework of activities honoring Dr. C. Esperanza Barroso García, the Matanzas Student Scientific Society of Imaging was founded. The founding was an initiative of the Matanzas Chapter of the Cuban Society of Imaging, in conjunction with the University of Medical Sciences of Matanzas and a group of students who participated in the first summer course in this specialty.

A Student Scientific Society offers the opportunity to introduce students to the world of research and also constitutes a breeding ground for future researchers. ⁽¹⁾ These are organizations dedicated to promoting activities that directly contribute to the development of potential and aptitudes in student researchers. ⁽²⁾ They are comprised of faculty, students, and eventual graduates who share a common interest: research. ⁽³⁾

The Matanzas Student Scientific Society of Imaging is a scientific and multidisciplinary organization composed of students under the principle of voluntary participation. Between August and October, the Society designed its logo, elected its President and Founding Board of Directors, and drafted its internal regulations, framed within the General Regulations of Scientific Health Societies and the Governing Document of the Cuban University Student Federation.

Student scientific societies aim to develop three areas: research, education, and comprehensive health care. ⁽¹⁾ Organizing continuing medical education activities, such as conferences, symposia, roundtables, discussions, workshops, and others, is an important complement to medical training, fostering students' critical thinking skills and improving their understanding of scientific language, as well as serving as a bridge between information acquisition and clinical practice. ⁽³⁾

Being an active member of a scientific society not only entails meeting the minimum membership requirements. It is also necessary to actively participate in the society's activities, conduct research, and publish it. In this way, new knowledge is generated and disseminated, contributing to scientific development. ⁽²⁾

"The central role is played by the students, and the support of faculty advisors is optional." ⁽³⁾ In this regard, the Matanzas Student Scientific Society of Imaging has the full support of the Matanzas Chapter of the Cuban Society of Imaging and its President, Dr. Víctor Guillermo Ferreira Moreno, who has been the fundamental mentor of the Society's founding students.

The importance of mentoring or advising within research learning is recognized and is defined as a process in which a highly experienced, empathetic individual (the mentor) guides another (the apprentice) in the development and evaluation of their own ideas, learning, and personal and professional growth. ⁽⁴⁾ As established in its regulations, the Matanzas Student Scientific Society of Imaging will have the advice of distinguished professionals in this specialty, who are willing to serve as mentors and possess the necessary expertise, scientific integrity, and availability. However, it is recognized that self-learning is a key element in knowledge management and continuous development, so it is necessary to encourage it. It is even more important when there is no mentoring from expert researchers. ⁽⁴⁾

Scientific production is the main indicator studied in Student Scientific Societies, as producing science is one of the most important elements in the research training of a professional. ⁽¹⁾ Taking into account the experience of other Latin American scientific societies, it was decided to implement indicators to evaluate the functioning of the Society, such as: the number of research and scientific writing courses organized per year, the number of members with at least one research paper completed per year, the number of recognitions or awards received by the society or its members for research and publication, among others listed in its statutes. ⁽⁴⁾

The Student Scientific Society of Imaging is an initiative that will not only enrich students' academic training, but also dynamically and proactively seeks to provide them with basic knowledge to develop the capacities, attitudes, habits, and skills essential for the productive social life that the country demands.

Figure 1: Logo of the Matanzas Student Scientific Society of Imaging.

The Matanzas Student Scientific Society of Imaging represents a valuable opportunity to promote research from the undergraduate level, contributing to the development of future professionals committed to science and health.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES

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