A decade of collaboration: Cardiff and Oman

Professor Dianne Watkins, Deputy Head for International and Engagement and Susan Ward, Senior Lecturer and Director of the International Collaborative Provision, School of Healthcare Sciences attended Muscat, Oman on Tuesday 16 January 2018 to celebrate the School of Healthcare Sciences’ long-term partnership with Oman.

Attendees celebrated the 10 year collaboration between Cardiff University and the Oman Specialised Nursing Institute (OSNI) which offered BSc Honours top up degree programmes to Omani students between 2008 and 2018; BSc (Hons) Community Health Nursing Practice and BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies.

Professor Dianne Watkins showcased the success story of the collaboration giving a detailed account of the strategic partnership between Cardiff University and the Ministry of Health (MoH), Oman. Putting the success of the collaboration into perspective, the programme had successfully supported 807 students through to achieving their degrees; 715 in Nursing Studies and 92 in Community Health Nursing Practice. Thanks was given to those who initially set up the partnership along with the 35 School of Healthcare Sciences’ staff who helped to facilitate the programme through both distance learning and delivering 60 face-to-face taught modules in Oman.

The outcome of the collaboration was a successful one. Many students have assumed new roles in the workplace, promotions have been gained and the programme’s alumni have acted as change agents who have influenced nursing care positively through evidence-based practice. Of up-most importance it has improved the professionalisation of nursing across Oman.

Professor Watkins commented that ‘students were always at the centre and they were positive about the dual provision arrangements. The collaboration gave an opportunity to the Omani students to pursue a U.K. qualification in their own country.’

Professor Watkins went on to describe the last decade as ‘one of the best experiences of her life with thanks to the Omanis for their outstanding hospitality and generosity’ and ‘hopes that the collaboration continues in the form of research and further studies.’

Dr. Abdullah bin Rashid Al Battashi, Dean, OSNI, shared Professor Watkins’ view recalling ten years of amazing collaboration and hoped that this moves forward in the form of research.

For more information on international collaboration and partnership please contact Susan Ward, Director of the International Collaborative Provision.