1 November 2005
Dundee Graduates 18 new nurses under an African sun
The University of Dundee today (Tuesday Nov 1st) bestowed degrees on eighteen new graduates, bringing a shining ray of hope to a country still suffering the effects of a long and bloody war.
University Principal Sir Alan Langlands was in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, for the graduation of the first cohort of nurses to earn the Bachelor of Nursing degree through study on a Distance Learning programme delivered by the University.
Sir Alan told the University's eighteen newest graduates they represented an outstanding example of how partnership between the western world and Africa can effect real change.
"Earlier this year Scotland played host to the G8 Summit when many pledges were made by well off nations, including the UK, to the future of Africa," said Sir Alan.
"Some of those pledges may take a long and tortuous journey to translate into reality. This initiative we are here to celebrate today, is real. It is now. And it is happening. It is the best kind of example of what can be achieved by simply sharing vital knowledge, experience and expertise between world neighbours.
"In its small but significant way it will alleviate suffering and improve health. This year you are 18 graduates - professionals in advanced nursing studies. If each of you helps spreads this expertise throughout your country then the impact for Eritrea can be tremendous.
"This is the real importance of what is happening here. In the UK we have a phrase "great oaks from little acorns grow". I'm not sure how that would translate in Eritrea but I think each of you here - all professional nurse educators - understands that process."
The Distance Learning Centre in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing at the University of Dundee was contracted in June 2003 by the Ministry of Health in Eritrea with the prime objective of enabling senior Eritrean nurses to graduate in advanced nursing studies, thus bringing a greater level of much-needed expertise to the country.
Eritrea is a poor country, still emerging from the impact of 30 years' bloody war with neighbouring Ethiopia. The students represented many branches of nursing and midwifery, including community and public health and also mental health. Some had been barefoot doctors in the war years.
"All of the students were qualified nurse teachers, and a secondary objective for the project has been the enhancement of nursing education overall in Eritrea, nurses being the most significant group of health care clinicians throughout a country which is predominantly rural,” said Dr Elizabeth Rogerson, Head of the Distance Learning Centre (Nursing and Palliative Care), at the University of Dundee and Head of Education and Development for the International Virtual Nursing School (IVINURS).
"We are hoping now that these eighteen graduates will have the opportunity to progress on to our postgraduate Master of Nursing degree."
Despite the distance learning mode of delivery, the contract includes some face-to-face teaching, delivered in the capital city Asmara.
The success with the first cohort of nurses on the degree course has already resulted in the commencement of a second cohort of nurses studying on the programme. These 34 students are involved mainly in clinical practice and are spread throughout the country.
The Distance Learning Centre (Nursing and Palliative Care) is engaged with students in seventeen different countries all over the world. It is fully accredited by the major American nursing bodies the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) and the American Nursing Credentialing Centre (ANCC).
The graduation ceremony will be attended by HM Ambassador to Eritrea, His Excellency Mr Mike Murray who is hosting a party at the Embassy to celebrate the first University of Dundee graduation there. While in Eritrea Sir Alan will be visiting a number of health facilities and projects.
NOTES TO EDITORS.
Since 2000 the Distance Learning Centre, at University of Dundee, working collaboratively with its Kenya Partner, the Kenyan Medical Training College (KMTC) in Nairobi has delivered the Bachelor of Nursing degree and a Master of Nursing degree to Qualified Registered Nurses in Kenya, who previously had little opportunity to ccontinue professional learning to meet the contemporary healthcare needs in their country.
At the present time there are 118 students on the undergraduate programme and another 28 on the postgraduate Master of Nursing Programme. Those on the Masters programme are receiving financial assistance from the Commonwealth Scholarship Fund. It is anticipated that a further 20 students will join this programme in early 2006.
Although both programmes are delivered by distance learning, learning is tailored to the nurse's work situation and the needs of patients. Staff from the DLC travel to Kenya twice a year to induct new students to the programmes and to maintain direct links with KMTC.
The University continues to build on its activities in Africa. Last week the University announced the award of an £8.1 million grant from the Wellcome Trust to develop a drug discovery programme concentrating on some of the world's most neglected diseases, including African sleeping sickness.
The UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science at the University of Dundee is playing a key role in developing agreements of sharing of water resources, a key issue in Africa and one which can play a significant role in addressing issues including the provision of adequate drinking water and sanitation and reducing poverty.
For more information contact:
Roddy Isles,
Head of Press
Tel: 01382 344910,
out of hours: 07968298585,
Email: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk | 
