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Ailyn Agonia
DOHA
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed educational systems across the world. Dr Deborah White, dean of the University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ), said the crisis, which also altered every aspect of life, has altered the delivery of educational programmes and highlighted the importance of critical thinking and clinical judgement.
In an interview with Qatar Tribune, Dean White pointed out the importance of preparing future nurses who also have an in-depth knowledge of important concepts, such as infectious processes from a physiological perspective to prevention and treatment and care.
“I believe COVID-19 has increased the visibility of the skills, knowledge and strength of nurses and the nursing profession; the important role nurses play as leaders in clinical practice in times of serious illness; and in the provision of preventive; and restorative care and organising and directing care across health systems,” she said.
The Canadian institution is Qatar’s exclusive provider of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing since 2007. Dean White said UCQ had already seen an increase in student applications last year, adding that the number this year is even higher.
She added, “Ideally we would like to see increased enrolment in the 4-year degree programme to support the increased need for new nurses, as well as supporting innovative options for advanced nursing education and continuous professional development for nurses and other allied health professionals.”
The pandemic has forced sudden transformation in many sectors. In sharing the academic challenges faced by UCQ early in the pandemic, she said that the primary challenge for them was to transition from face-to-face to online teaching sessions. Additional challenges, she added, included the need to re-sequence courses due to the initial inability to have labs on campus, reschedule clinical courses and implement facility-wide COVID-19 restrictions.
Dean White also pointed out some of UCQ’s strategies to these challenging times, which included building capacity in the faculty in terms of online course delivery through the use of experts in both teaching and learning and information technology, listening to students, staff and faculty concerns and keeping them informed and updated with all the necessary information. Additionally, they used expertise and evidence to apply COVID-19 restrictions on campus.
“I believe that educational institutions are doing their very best to assist where possible. Be it through conducting research to better understand this pandemic, adapting student practicum that supports the ongoing operations of clinical care and focused care related to the pandemic, or by volunteering in various roles to support the management of the pandemic. Professional practice education is about assuring that you are meeting the population health needs and trends, and positioning curriculum within that local context. The future of teaching and learning is about adaptation and using evidence and stakeholder input to shape curriculum,” she remarked.
Recently, UCQ produced and exclusively launched their original ‘Honoring Our Heroes’ digital advertising campaign on Qatar National Television’s Social Distancing programme. The unique video and anthem pays tribute to nurses and showcases their leadership and commitment, while highlighting their compassionate spirit and integral role in healthcare systems. Dean White said that the tribute to their nursing colleagues is among the efforts of UCQ to show support to the nurses and their colleagues on the frontline.
“I think this is a time of gratitude; an opportunity to say thank you for your commitment and care to patients who are ill and to those patients who are recovering from COVID-19 and other illnesses, as well as to say thank you to our leaders who are working feverishly to manage this pandemic and protect the residents of Qatar,” the UCQ Dean said.
DOHA
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed educational systems across the world. Dr Deborah White, dean of the University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ), said the crisis, which also altered every aspect of life, has altered the delivery of educational programmes and highlighted the importance of critical thinking and clinical judgement.
In an interview with Qatar Tribune, Dean White pointed out the importance of preparing future nurses who also have an in-depth knowledge of important concepts, such as infectious processes from a physiological perspective to prevention and treatment and care.
“I believe COVID-19 has increased the visibility of the skills, knowledge and strength of nurses and the nursing profession; the important role nurses play as leaders in clinical practice in times of serious illness; and in the provision of preventive; and restorative care and organising and directing care across health systems,” she said.
The Canadian institution is Qatar’s exclusive provider of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing since 2007. Dean White said UCQ had already seen an increase in student applications last year, adding that the number this year is even higher.
She added, “Ideally we would like to see increased enrolment in the 4-year degree programme to support the increased need for new nurses, as well as supporting innovative options for advanced nursing education and continuous professional development for nurses and other allied health professionals.”
The pandemic has forced sudden transformation in many sectors. In sharing the academic challenges faced by UCQ early in the pandemic, she said that the primary challenge for them was to transition from face-to-face to online teaching sessions. Additional challenges, she added, included the need to re-sequence courses due to the initial inability to have labs on campus, reschedule clinical courses and implement facility-wide COVID-19 restrictions.
Dean White also pointed out some of UCQ’s strategies to these challenging times, which included building capacity in the faculty in terms of online course delivery through the use of experts in both teaching and learning and information technology, listening to students, staff and faculty concerns and keeping them informed and updated with all the necessary information. Additionally, they used expertise and evidence to apply COVID-19 restrictions on campus.
“I believe that educational institutions are doing their very best to assist where possible. Be it through conducting research to better understand this pandemic, adapting student practicum that supports the ongoing operations of clinical care and focused care related to the pandemic, or by volunteering in various roles to support the management of the pandemic. Professional practice education is about assuring that you are meeting the population health needs and trends, and positioning curriculum within that local context. The future of teaching and learning is about adaptation and using evidence and stakeholder input to shape curriculum,” she remarked.
Recently, UCQ produced and exclusively launched their original ‘Honoring Our Heroes’ digital advertising campaign on Qatar National Television’s Social Distancing programme. The unique video and anthem pays tribute to nurses and showcases their leadership and commitment, while highlighting their compassionate spirit and integral role in healthcare systems. Dean White said that the tribute to their nursing colleagues is among the efforts of UCQ to show support to the nurses and their colleagues on the frontline.
“I think this is a time of gratitude; an opportunity to say thank you for your commitment and care to patients who are ill and to those patients who are recovering from COVID-19 and other illnesses, as well as to say thank you to our leaders who are working feverishly to manage this pandemic and protect the residents of Qatar,” the UCQ Dean said.
