A team from the HWG LU consisting of three midwifery scientists, Elena Dahlem, Cordula Fischer, Prof. Michaela Michel-Schuldt, Ph.D. and nursing scientist Prof. Dr. Esther Berkemer, recently visited the Yerevan State Medical University College in Armenia. This trip marked the start of a cooperation aimed at raising midwifery and nursing education in Armenia to bachelor's level for the first time and thus taking an important step towards improving healthcare in the country.
The introduction of academic training at bachelor's level is essential in order to meet the demand for healthcare professionals and at the same time increase the attractiveness and development opportunities in these two key professions in the healthcare system, as well as to raise training to international standards. During their trip, the experts from HWG LU shared valuable experiences on the academization of nursing and midwifery professions and presented their university's successful Bachelor's and Master's programmes in nursing, nursing education and midwifery science.
Dr. Alexan Hovhannisyan, Head of Yerevan State Medical University College, and Anna Ghazaryan, Head of the International Office, organized numerous discussions and visits in this context. An intensive exchange took place with representatives of the affiliated university hospitals, the head of the simulation laboratory, the first chairwoman of the Nursing and Midwifery Association of Armenia and representatives of the Armenian Ministry of Education.
In the course of the talks, various steps were identified to advance the academization of midwifery and nursing training in Armenia. The first step is to develop a competence-oriented curriculum that promotes both theoretical and practical skills for students. Another focus is on the development of a practice-oriented training concept that intensifies the use of modern skills and simulation laboratories as well as clinical practice. In order to ensure high-quality training, capacity building for teachers in the fields of nursing and midwifery will also play a central role. Armenia is planning legislative changes in the healthcare professions.
In order to achieve these ambitious goals, the two universities have jointly applied for funding. The investments in the academic training of nurses and midwives should help to sustainably improve healthcare in Armenia and meet the requirements of a modern society.
The cooperation between HWG LU and Yerevan State Medical University College is a significant step towards future-oriented healthcare training in Armenia. With its many years of experience and expertise in the field of nursing and midwifery, Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences is making an important contribution to the further development of these professions in the Caucasus region.
The HWG LU team had the opportunity to consult "Radio Yerevan", which is also well-known in Germany. In response to the question: "What can the nursing and midwifery scientists at the HWG LU learn from a cooperation with Armenia?", Radio Yerevan replied: "In principle, a lot, but only if they are prepared to embrace Armenian hospitality, the art of compromise and the ability to do excellent work even without perfect equipment - and perhaps take home an Armenian recipe or two in the process."
