Exploring healthy responses to global medical challenges

Global health initiatives
Attendees from Flinders and the UK at the healthy responses to global medical challenges workshop (full caption at end of article).

Flinders University’s Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Professor Michael Kidd, recently hosted a group of senior university leaders from the United Kingdom at a workshop exploring new strategies to drive healthy responses to global medical challenges.

Professor Nancy Cromar, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), welcomed the group on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Stirling.

The UK delegates travelled to Flinders to discuss their experiences and knowledge across a range of issues in the UK and Australian higher education systems.

Specifically, the group shared their experiences on community engagement, particularly in the fields of health and medicine.

Flinders used a speed-dating format to communicate the University’s innovative approaches to teaching and learning, social responsibility, community engagement, and the challenge of delivering high quality education and research programs across a large campus with additional metropolitan and rural sites.

Professor Kidd commented on the value of the workshop in exploring the role of the university in address the healthcare needs of the community.

“The workshop was a fantastic opportunity to share with our UK guests Flinders’ strengths in interprofessional training and multidisciplinary research, and to learn about innovative models of clinical training and healthcare delivery in the United Kingdom,” he said.

“Flinders is dedicated to training a skilled workforce of caring, competent, compassionate and trustworthy health care professionals who provide innovative responses to global challenges.

“Our relationships with key stakeholders, including private and public health providers, and community groups, allows Flinders to continue to be at the forefront in responding to sector challenges and delivering outcome driven research and education.”

The Flinders delegates received a UK perspective on global challenges from Dr Tom Kennie, Ranmore Consulting, and Professor Robin Middlehurst, from Kingston University.

In his address, Dr Kennie commented on his initial observations of the Flinders learning process and said he was impressed by Flinders’ education delivery.

“If the attention to detail and care with pedagogy and learning processes we experienced is illustrative of the wider Flinders experience, then you have much to be proud of,” he said.

Flinders will build on the relationships established at the workshop to create strong links for future collaborations to address key academic challenges.

L to R: Top Row: Phill Dixon (Sheffield Hallam), Chris Spendlove (Lincoln), Stephanie Agius, John Craig (HEA), Mohammad Kamal (Malaya), Bill Webster (Bolton), Bruce Whitby, Lambert Schuwirth, Dennis McDermott, Paul Arbon, Janny Maddern.

Middle Row: Tom Kennie (Ranmore), Faisal Adikan (Malaya), Cliff Allan (Birmingham City), Musa Mihsein (OU), David Chesser (YSJU), Stephen Doughty (Nottingham), Mark Batho (Abertay), Paul Worley, Michael Kidd, Eileen Willis, John Wakerman.

Bottom Row: Callista Thillou, Jennene Greenhill, John Vinney (Bournemouth), Emma Hunt (AUB), Susan Foreman (Staffordshire), Andrew Deeks (UCD), Margaret House (Leeds Trinity), Robin Middlehurst (Kingston), Pauline Kneale (Plymouth), Nancy Cromar, John Coveney, Mary Curnock Cook (UCAS).

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