Kenyan graduation for distance learning nurses

By Ron Neill

It is expected that eleven students will graduate from the Bachelor of Nursing programme in 2004.

The last visit to Nairobi by the staff of the Distance Learning Centre (Nursing and Palliative Care) was in November 2003 and they attended the graduation ceremony at Kenya Medical Training College for the Training College’s students. The ceremony took place outside under a cloudless blue sky. The group of Dundee students who had graduated in July were acknowledged at the ceremony. It was a very proud day for them and their families.

It proved to be a very busy week for the Centre staff as all the students on the programme were in attendance. Since the visit, the students have provided the department with e-mail addresses and will be able to access the University Library and have access to the facilities enjoyed by other students of the University.

Approximately four years ago the Distance Learning Centre (Nursing and Palliative Care) was approached by Kenya Medical Training College in Nairobi to provide a Bachelor of Nursing Degree by distance learning. Since then recruitment to the programme has been increasing each year and the Centre now offers a Master of Nursing Programme by distance learning to those students who have successfully completed the Bachelor Degree. Staff from the Centre visit Kenya Medical Training College three times a year, to meet students and provide tutorial support.

There are now some 118 students at various stages within the programmes on offer. Eighty eight students are on the Bachelor of Nursing Programme and thirty students are studying on the Master of Nursing programme. The Masters students are receiving financial help from the Commonwealth Fund.

Twenty eight students graduated in July 2003 at the University of Dundee’s graduation ceremony. Due to the distance and the financial costs involved only two students attended the ceremony to represent their peers.