International experiences on a budget: The role of online technologies in the training of young scientists in developing countries

Abstract

Introduction: Limited financial resources available for science research and training in Latin America preclude most young scientists from having international experiences. This limitation has an impact on their development as scientists because it restricts the opportunities to interact with cutting-edge researchers and receive mentoring from such professionals. The lack of international forums in which to present their work may limit the expansion of their soft skills in areas such as oral communication, especially regarding giving scientific presentations in the English language. The popularity of online technologies, even in developing countries, allows for new methods in which students can have international experiences without extensive costs. Methods: The International Academic Virtual Exchange network (IAVE) was created as a way to provide students in the developing world access and collaborations with international partners. The student members of this network include graduate students in Medical Physics as well as Physics undergraduates. The network currently has members from 10 different countries in the Americas and Europe. Activities such as weekly journal clubs, scientific conferences, workshops and a peer-reviewed annual congress are organized online using free software that allow for real-time audience interaction via chat or video. Most activities are conducted in English, with occasional activities in Spanish, to allow participation of students at all levels of English command. The annual IAVE Congress accepts abstracts in two modalities, original research and literature review. This allows students with limited access to research opportunities, the chance to hone their literature research, and presentation skills using their available resources. Both modalities undergo the same peer-review process and students present through videoconference to an international audience. Results and discussion: Since 2017, IAVE has hosted over 60 webinars, including weekly sessions, covering subjects from clinical applications of radiation to professional development topics, such as scientific communication. These webinars include presentations of both graduate and undergraduate students in Latin America and the United States. Webinars with professional speakers are organized at each site institution and broadcast to the IAVE network, giving its members the chance to interact with those experts. Two IAVE Congresses have been organized thus far, with participation of 11 students in 2018 and another 11 in 2019, for a total of 18 different students from Latin America (graduate and undergraduate level) and 4 students from the United States (graduate level). The Congresses had online audiences in the Americas and Europe. Mentoring activities and research opportunities are organized at each site institution and across-sites. Conclusions: It is possible to establish a beneficial, fruitful, international relationship between initially unaffiliated institutions with limited resources, through the efforts and commitment of participating members. IAVE has been able to plan and execute several types of activities that increase the opportunities of interaction between members regardless of geographical limitations, providing students the opportunity to participate in international scientific activities, even without physical access to research or travel funding.