The good practices and results produced by the Durban University of Technology’s Nursing Department have attracted the attention of several Ghanaian academics who believe they could reproduce these good practices and results in their country.
Staff from the Department recently hosted academics of Ghanaian universities, colleges and midwifery schools at the Steve Biko Campus (late August), who sought to learn more about the midwifery structure of the Department.
This included, amongst others, capacity building, teaching and learning. The academics also toured DUT’s Indumiso Campus, Pietermaritzburg, Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital and UKZN’s School of Nursing.
South Africa is considered to have the best midwifery system in Africa. DUT is one of the country’s institutions that have contributed to this positive reputation.
The Ghanaian delegation comprised of Professor Yakubu Haruna; Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Rev Sister Angsotinge Elizabeth; Principal of Jirapa Midwifery College, Nwimbo Walter Daborkuu; Principal of Jirapa Nurses and Midwifery Training College, Muhammed Teshiayio; Principal of Bolga Midwifery School, Musah Moomin Mac; Principal of Bolga Nurses Training College and Abelko Emmanuel Nbawini; Principal of the Bawku Training College.
Aburge Dominic, University for Development Studies Project Coordinator said their main aim was to learn about advancements in nursing, especially after the first degree as well as to explore the various areas for possible co-operation with DUT.
“We’ve learnt about DUT’s nursing postgraduate studies and visited UKZN’s School of Nursing. We are interested collaborating with these institutions. There are a number of areas for organisational links, short courses for our staff, staff development and student exchanges. We will write a comprehensive report and present it to our university,” said Dominic.
Padmini Pillay, DUT Nursing Lecturer said the meeting was the beginning of greater projects to come between the DUT and Ghana. Pillay said in the near future, the Nursing Department could work on enrolling Master’s students from Ghana into their programme.
“The whole week’s activities were more of ‘training the trainer’. We will engage the DUT International Education and Partnerships Directorate and other departments in the collaboration,” said Pillay.
– Thabo Maile
Pictured: The Durban University of Technology’s Department of Nursing staff and their counterparts from Ghana who recently visited DUT. Seated from left to right are: Padmini Pillay, Dudu Sokhela, Thandi Khumalo and Thembi Ngxongo from DUT. Standing from left to right are: Penny Orton; DUT Lecturer, Emmanuel Nbawini; Bawku Nurses Training College Principal, Musah Moomin Mac; Bolga Nurses Training College Principal, Muhammed Tesshiayio; Bolga Midwifery School Principal, Nwimbo Walter Daborkuu; Jarapa Nurses Training College Principal, Rev Sister Angsotinge Elizabeth; Jarapa Midwifery College Principal and Abugre Dominic; University for Development Studies Project Coordinator.
