UOW delegation discusses health-education priorities at Expo 2020 Dubai

Thursday, 24 March, 2022

Professor Patricia Davidson, Vice Chancellor and President University of Wollongong (UOW) led a joint team from UOW and the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) in a unique event at the Australian Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai to meet with senior leaders of the UAE healthcare sector to discuss emerging priorities for healthcare education.

The forum provided senior members of the University of Wollongong, the great opportunity to hear from the sector representatives about their priorities in graduate and postgraduate education for healthcare professionals working in the UAE.

Hosted at the Australian Pavilion, under the patronage of Mr Justin McGowan, Expo 2020 Dubai Commissioner General for Australia, the event convened representatives from health organisations including SEHA, Emirates Health Services, Cleveland Clinic, CMC Dubai and Amana Healthcare. Along with Professor Amjad Mohd Qandil from the UAE Commission of Academic Accreditation (CAA).

In attendance at the event Professor David Currow, UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Health and Sustainable Futures and Ms Marisa Mastroianni, Managing Director of UOW Global Enterprises and Group Chief Executive Officer as well as UOWD Preident Prof Mohamed-Vall M. Salem ZEIN, Dr Feras Hamza, Head of School, Humanities, Social Sciences and Health, Dr Suzanne R. Malt, Program Director – Health Sciences.

The conversation reflected on the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic which, whilst extremely challenging to frontline healthcare professionals, also provided important insights into local systems and processes that could be further advanced. Of particular note was the need to provide safe, quality vaccinations in the most efficient way possible.

The delegates also discussed how the UAE healthcare system is pivoting toward a focus of wellbeing, where the emphasis is on building local services and resources that help keep the community resilient to future pandemics. Critically reflected upon was the evidence arising from more than 20 years of research demonstrating that Advanced Practice Nurses are the most cost-effective drivers and facilitators of these community-based services. Essential healthcare services that provide the skills and resources for people to become more active participants in maintaining their own health. 

The gathering reaffirmed UOWD’s strong history of collaborating with leaders in the UAE health sector to design and deliver programs of learning that support their strategic priorities. In addition to this important event, Professor Davidson has also taken the opportunity during her visit to UAE to meet with senior members of the Ministries of Health and Education, who provided strategic views and guidance on the need for the future workforce in Nursing. 

Having worked in both the USA healthcare education system, as Dean of John Hopkins School of Nursing, and the Australian education system, as VC of UOW, Professor Davidson brings a wealth of knowledge to help drive forward the establishment of the scope of practice and education for Advanced Practice Nursing in the UAE.
 
The discussions concluded that thoughtful and sustained collaboration amongst leadership across all key sectors – healthcare providers, regulators and educators – is key to ensuring healthcare professionals acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to meet the strategic priorities of the UAE health sector. Speaking about the University’s commitment to supporting the sector locally, Prof Salem said, “We know that the region’s healthcare sector is primed for exponential growth, even outside the demands of the pandemic, and we have an important role to play in preparing the workforce for the future of the industry. With today’s insights into the priorities for health education, we will work alongside the local authorities and care providers to help prepare medical practitioners and industry leaders for the rapid evolution of the sector.”

Reflecting on the day’s discussions, Dr Sumaya Mohamed Abbas, Nursing Director at Ministry of Health and Prevention - UAE of Emirates Health Services, said, “The event represented another milestone in the ongoing national collaboration between academia and service in UAE. We share the responsibility and accountability in paving the right way for future nurses through innovative and high quality nursing education, which will qualify future nurses to join the forces and contribute to the national health priorities.”

She continued, “Collaboration, strategic partnership and communication between clinical nursing care leads, nursing regulatory bodies and academia is the key to success. The event captured our united voice acknowledging that nurses and midwives played vital roles in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, proving their true value in the healthcare system as leaders, front-liners, informatics and educators.  Our appreciation to all nurses and midwives.”