Australia is taking a leadership role in public health research with Sydney's World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development elected to head its worldwide network.
The University of Technology Sydney-based WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC UTS) has been elected from 44 such centres internationally to act as Secretariat of the Global Network, the first Australian institute to undertake this role.
UTS Vice-Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs said the centre will work towards strengthening nursing and midwifery leadership, education, practice and research globally.
"It's an honour to have been nominated as secretariat for this global network of highly esteemed universities around the world," Professor Brungs said. "It is also a great opportunity to further strengthen the skills, capacity and voices of healthcare professionals here in the Asia Pacific, and globally, as we work towards meeting Millennium Development Goals."
To mark the achievement, WHO CC UTS will tomorrow launch an exhibition showcasing its work in the region. Professor Brungs and the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Federal Member for Sydney, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development, will unveil the exhibition in the ground floor exhibition area of the UTS Tower.
"Hosting a global network of WHO Collaborating Centres for nursing and midwifery here at UTS is evidence of Australia's leadership in this area and puts us in a good position to influence regional and global health strategies," Professor John Daly, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Head of WHO CC UTS said.
"Nurses and midwives make a vital contribution within the health workforce and are a pivotal part of the communities they support. Initiatives like this boost their capabilities further and help advance health for all."
In its leadership role WHO CC UTS will dedicate resources to nurturing and co-ordinating global collaborations, projects and resources involving all international partners to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
"This important network is further bringing nursing and midwifery into the global limelight with opportunities to work on important strategies including the WHO Health Workforce 2030 strategy," said Judith Shamian, President of the International Council of Nurses (ICN).
WHO CC UTS works across research, education, advocacy, project management, training and skills and capacity building, supporting more than 50 projects in 25 countries.
This week also celebrates a visit by Australia Award Fellows participating in the annual South Pacific Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alliance Fellowship Program funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The 12 Fellows are from Niue, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Kiribati.
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Further information
Michele Rumseymichele.rumsey@uts.edu.au
0417 933 519
Twitter: @whoccmichele
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