Since 2018, a team from the WHO Collaborating Centre at UTS (WHO CC UTS) and Faculty of Health have been working alongside colleagues from the Vanuatu College of Nursing Education (VCNE) to develop a new Bachelor of Nursing curriculum for Vanuatu, upgrading their Diploma level award. The teams of educators are currently working together to develop the first four subjects of the Bachelor of Nursing curriculum (including lesson plans, materials and resources) for course implementation in 2021.
VCNE and WHO CC UTS colleagues working together online in various locations in Vanuatu and Australia
One of the main outcomes of this work is the development of confidence and capability of the Vanuatu teaching staff so they are well equipped to develop, write and implement curriculum, and significant time for UTS and VCNE colleagues to work together is therefore essential. However the onset of the recent COVID19 pandemic has restricted international travel, preventing face-to-face interaction. As a result, the teaching staff from both countries have had to work together to develop new ways of working together using innovative solutions to keep this important work progressing.
Video Conferencing with VCNE
Online workshop with VCNE tutors together at the College in Port Vila, and WHO CC UTS team working remotely in Sydney
In responding to this challenge, the project team has changed the primary mode of support to working online through video conferencing, social media and other communication methods albeit with significant technological constraints. The plan and activities for a week-long workshop scheduled at the end of March were rapidly amended so that this shared work between the VCNE and WHO CC UTS could continue online during the same time period. UTS educators Ms Lisa Townsend, Dr Caroline Havery and Prof. Lin Lock found their Ni-Vanuatu colleagues were very willing, enthusiastic and accommodating about the changes, although this was an unfamiliar mode of work for them. The VCNE teachers attended all sessions of the online workshop, and the educators worked diligently together on self-directed tasks set.
Having a workshop through Zoom is an exciting new experience and it is capacity building for the teachers’ online method of interaction between them and students
- Evelyne Emil, VCNE
Lisa Townsend from WHO CC UTS
The experienced UTS team understand the importance of cultural sensitivity and appropriateness and with Vanuatu being a collectivist culture, it has been paramount that sustaining relationships, giving time for meaningful exchange of ideas and time for group consideration of issues were still prioritised under the current circumstances for the learning process to achieve its outcomes. The changes that have resulted in new collaborative approaches and strategies to this work necessitated by the COVID 19 pandemic have highlighted the need for agility and flexibility by the key stakeholders involved.
For the work that we are doing through Zoom (with colleagues from WHOCCUTS), I found some limitations in terms of communication. It is much easier to converse in a face to face mode than through a screen
- Evelyne Emil, VCNE
Our colleagues in Vanuatu have embraced the opportunity to engage with the technology and new ways of working, and continue to work diligently during challenging circumstances. Although face to face contact is ideal, by working closely together opportunities have been found that will enable this important and successful collaboration to continue.