Syrian delegation, headed by Dr. Riwa Dahman (3rd from right), Director of Nursing, Syrian Ministry of Health, in a discussion with AKU leadership.

The Syrian Government, which regards AKU School of Nursing (AKU-SON) programmes as a model for quality nursing service and education, sent a five-member delegation to the University in April 2003, with the objective of acquiring a better understanding of AKU and its existing programmes.

The delegation included Dr. Riwa Dahman, Director of Nursing, Syrian Ministry of Health; Aleem Walji, AKDN Programme Coordinator and Dr. Shahira Deebeh, AKDN volunteer and liaison to the Minister of Health.

Expressing her views, Dr. Riwa Dahman said, "Our time in Pakistan was indeed valuable and laid the foundation for continued partnership between the Syrian Ministry of Health and AKU. She said that collaboration would begin in the field of nursing, "...where we feel we have much to learn from efforts to improve the quality of health care by investing in nurses". Aleem Walji stressed that AKU was an intellectual resource, and should be seen as an important instrument to facilitate the effective functioning and optimum utilisation of human resources in the Syrian nursing sector.

Syrian delegation members presented with mementos by President Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, AKU.

Earlier, the delegation met with Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, President of AKU, who said that AKUH Nursing Services and AKU-SON were looking forward to providing capacity building and technical assistance, with a strong emphasis on quality and with a view to building linkages with the appropriate Syrian institutions, which could carry the development agenda forward.