In a unique partnership for the Scottish University sector, the University of Stirling and University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have established a formal agreement which will see collaborative working in the fields of health, nursing and midwifery.
This Memorandum of Understanding will lead to collaboration on international projects including the delivery of training and academic and research programmes in nursing and health.
A further focus will be on the key health and social care challenges of Older People’s Health, and Care and Practice Improvement, reflecting the importance of research and practice reflecting the changing demographics of Scotland: the need to encourage wellbeing and independent living and the demand for increasingly complex care packages that will be required to support those with care needs in hospital, in other care facilities and at home.
The signing of the Memorandum creates the strongest partnership of its kind in this subject area in the Scottish university sector and cements both universities’ positions as leading international providers of health, nursing and midwifery education and research. The initiative will enhance opportunities for over 5,000 students and more than 200 staff in the fields of health and nursing across both institutions.
Stirling and UWS work very closely with their local NHS Boards and local authorities, providing geographical coverage from the Western Isles to Dumfries and Galloway. Both universities have a number of joint practitioner and academic appointments with partner boards, which link academia and practice directly to where care is delivered.
Developing the strong relationships between the two universities’ health, nursing and midwifery academic teams creates an exceptional Scottish partnership brand for the delivery of nursing and midwifery education internationally.
The universities have already been working closely with Scottish Development International to promote Scotland’s interests abroad. This joint approach will enable the full range of delivery from in-country short courses to online postgraduate study to be offered globally.
Professor Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of University of Stirling, said: "This strategic alliance between the University of Stirling and the University of the West of Scotland brings together clinical and academic expertise to provide solutions to a number of the key challenges facing the NHS and healthcare providers internationally. The alliance will build on areas in which the two Universities are leaders. These include research and education in care of the older person, health improvement sciences and the provision of education overseas."
Professor Seamus McDaid CBE, University of the West of Scotland’s Principal and Vice Chancellor, said: "We are delighted to have signed this Memorandum with University of Stirling, which will build upon both universities’ expertise, nationally and internationally, in health, nursing and midwifery. It is important for universities to collaborate in areas of shared strength and this partnership will see us increasing our significant contribution in these fields both at home and abroad."