Malawi Nursing Delegation Visits UKZN

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UKZN’s Nursing Discipline hosted a delegation from the Kamuzu College of Nursing (KCN) in Malawi as part of the Nursing Education Partnership Initiative programme which aims to strengthen the capacity of nursing and midwifery educational institutions.

UKZN Nursing HoD, Professor Gugu Mchunu, said the visitors were interested in hearing more about the virtual learning programme and the blended teaching methods used by the University’s Nursing discipline.

‘As the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education, the Discipline shared its knowledge and lessons learned about co-ordination mechanisms of the virtual learning centres and principles of establishment of such centres,’ said Mchunu.

The Malawian programme is implemented by ICAP with leadership from Malawian Ministry of Health. The programme aims to ensure the production of sufficient numbers of well-trained, clinically competent graduates. 

ICAP partnered with KCN to develop and implement two postgraduate programmes - the Masters in Nursing and Midwifery Education and Health Inter-Professional PhD.

In order for KCN to learn further about quality improvement and assurance systems for post-graduate education, including research and distance education, they decided to form a partnership with UKZN and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in the Eastern Cape.

The delegation comprised KCN’s Acting NEPI Coordinator and Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Dr Abigail Kazembe; HoD/Basic Studies, Mr Joseph Mfuni, and NEPI Programme Manager and ICAP Country Director, Ms Gertrude Chipungu.

Mchunu said information was also shared on the roles, functions and activities of virtual learning centres and their relationship with the main university.

The visitors said their visit provided a learning platform and space that would enhance their knowledge and skills to improve the delivery of masters and PhD programmes using the blended approach for the benefit of student and lecturers at KCN.

‘In addition, the best practices learned in monitoring quality assurance interventions in teaching, learning and research will enable the Kamuzu College of Nursing to establish and enhance documentation, getting feedback from students and stakeholders and track progress of results,’ added Mchunu.

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