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Aga
Khan University (AKU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of
Syria that will help improve the quality of nursing care and strengthen
academic standards of nursing education in the country. The agreement
was signed by Dr. M. Iyad Chatty, Syria's
Minister for Health, Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, President of Aga Khan
University, and Mr. Mohamed Seifo, Resident
Representative of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Syria.
The
agreement covers a five-year programme in which AKU will provide technical
support and build capacity of the Syrian Ministry of Health in the field of
nursing education and services.
In
addition to higher education for Syrian nurses at Aga Khan University School
of Nursing, the programme will comprise continuous education courses in Syria. Training in speciality
areas such as paediatric care, critical care, and oncology will be offered.
Nurses will also receive training in clinical expertise as well as
in leadership skills, computers and English. The programme will also provide
for up to 15 students to pursue Bachelor degrees in Nursing (BScN)
and a further five students to pursue Master degrees in Nursing (MScN).
The
agreement also includes the establishment of a Quality Assurance nursing programme
in two hospitals in the country, which was started in 2003 with the appointment
of a nursing coordinator from Aga Khan University
Hospital. By the end
of 2007, over 15 hospitals will have initiated this programme with at least
one hospital in each of the 14 Syrian provinces benefiting. The programme
will also include the development of infection control systems in two hospitals.
"Nurses
are a vital component of any health care system. This investment in our country’s
resources is necessary if we are to sustain development" said Dr. Chatty
emphasising the importance of co-operation in this sector. "While we have many partnerships in this field, we see AKU's School of Nursing as a priority partner given the integrated nature of our joint programme which
includes curriculum design, education and leadership development."
"Drawing
on AKU's experience in developing curriculum,
teaching learning skills, language training, as well as in the Quality Assurance
nursing programme, the five-year plan, whilst ambitious, is critical to improving
nursing services in Syria and expanding the scope for the future" said
Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha.
A
private, international university, AKU has ten teaching sites in seven countries. Its network of campuses and programmes in South and Central
Asia, East Africa, Europe and
the Middle East offers a wide range of programmes. AKU's Faculty of Health Sciences
comprising a School of Nursing
and a Medical College delivers diploma, undergraduate
and postgraduate programmes for health professionals, while its Institute
for Educational Development offers certificate and degree courses for teachers
and educational administrators. Its recently
established Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations aims to strengthen research and teaching on the heritage
of Muslim societies. The University works closely with other units of the
Aga Khan Development Network in the region.
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