Convocation for IUBAT graduates

In Bangladesh, university convocations are a special event, held only when the country’s president accepts an invitation to preside. On December 21st 2011, IUBAT conducted its third convocation in twenty years as a university.  The President was unwell, so Dr Hasan Mahmud, a senior government minister, conferred degrees on all IUBAT graduates including those from the College of Nursing. A former professor himself, Dr Hasan noted the contribution of IUBAT’s Centre for Policy Research, which is led by Bangladesh Health Project Director, John Richards. We were especially proud that Bimala Rai (BSN 2009) was chosen from among the eight hundred graduates to be Valedictorian for this event.

Read more about the 3rd IUBAT Convocation at http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=215159

What do we do as volunteer faculty?

We try to connect prospective volunteers with people who have visited IUBAT previously. US nurse-midwife, Sally Sando taught at IUBAT in 2010. Answering a question from another nurse, she says, “I think that we provide so much for the students as role models and mentors. I taught 3rd year students so they were ready to take on their professional role.  I supported them in that, trying to find experiences for them, listening to them.  They felt a lot of frustration due to the discrepancy between what they had been taught about nursing standards and the reality in Bangladesh.  These are issues that we don’t have to deal with in the West, so they are sobering to think about. It is important to try to be realistic about what we can achieve. Everyone at IUBAT maintains very high standards in teaching the students. Although the students seem earnest and anxious to learn, it is difficult in light of the realities.  But – if we don’t hold to the standards as best we can, then we don’t give them a vision to aim for. I never doubted that I was doing something of benefit for the students.”

Collaborative action for nurse education

On December 10, IUBAT College of Nursing hosted a workshop to discuss the topic, “Collaboration for Nurse Education.” Those attending came from the public and private sectors in nurse education, health care services and policy. Participants analyzed issues that affect nurse education, including lack of qualified educators and poor educational resources, as well as negative social attitudes towards nursing. They identified joint actions such as sharing library materials, working together for quality assurance and collaborating to train nurse educators. They also proposed more dialogue between private and public sectors and urged action to inform the general public about the contribution of nurses. Finally, they considered holding a conference on nurse education in 2012. The workshop ended with agreement to create a “Nurse Education Network” that will carry forward this action plan.