Hangzhou exchange scheme launched

An exchange programme with a Chinese university has been developed by Nursing Studies staff in the School of Health.

In April three third-year undergraduate nursing students set off to undertake their clinical elective in Hangzhou, near Shanghai.

The students will gain experience in the surgical area of Zhejiang Number One Hospital and in the Kaixuan Community Health Care Centre.

In August a small group of students from Hangzhou Normal University (HNU) plan to travel to Edinburgh to spend a semester studying a range of taught courses.

International collaboration

The initiative has been facilitated by Professor Fu Wei, the Dean of the Nursing College at Hangzhou Normal University, and Professor Cheung Ngai Fen.

Professor Cheung has a PhD from the University of Edinburgh.

Sandra Morris and her team in the University’s International Office have supported the exchange programme.

The Memorandum of Understanding and contract for the exchange programme were signed when Professor Fu and Professor Cheung visited the University in December 2008.

Funded research projects

As well as the exchange programme, contact with Hangzhou Normal University has led to funded research projects.

An action research project featuring the opening and evaluation of a groundbreaking midwife-led normal birth unit has been successfully completed.

Research is also being planned to address cigarette smoking in China and the associated health problems.