Academic exchange with University of Airlangga, Indonesia through web conference system

On Friday, June 19, professors of the Faculty of Medical Sciences participated in the 11th International Nursing Conference 2020 “Moving Beyond the Nursing Paradigm: Addressing Social Determinant of Health in the era of Covid-19 pandemic” hosted by the Faculty of Nursing, the University of Airlangga in Surabaya, Indonesia.

The Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui had signed an Academic Agreement with the Faculty of Medicine, the University of Airlangga in 2016, and each other’s students have been participating short-term exchange programs and continuing international exchanges. Besides, in addition to the Faculty of Medicine, we are now in the final stage of an agreement with the Faculty of Nursing of the University of Airlangga.

Originally, this international conference was scheduled for April and it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. And it was held as a webinar this time. Prof. HASEGAWA Tomoko of the Division of Nursing, the Faculty of Medical Sciences was invited as a guest speaker to deepen exchanges in the field of nursing, and she also gave a research presentation at the conference. Prof. SADA Kiyonao of the Division of Medicine, Prof. HASEGAWA Mika of the Division of Nursing, and other professors of the Division of Nursing also attended the conference as observers.

The conference held in Surabaya, Indonesia and there were participants from a total of 6 countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Japan. At this conference, Prof. HASEGAWA Tomoko gave a research presentation which entitled “Advance Care Planning in Japan: ACP and Nursing Research.” The presentation started with tourist information of Fukui prefecture and introduction of the University of Fukui, then introduced ACP (the process of communication between an individual, family members and medical staff discuss in advance regarding what plans for future care) and End of Life: EOL in Japan. Prof. HASEGAWA highlighted the need for health professionals to discuss more about EOL with patients and their families, and emphasized the importance of training ACPs for nurses and health professionals.

Our Faculty of Medical Sciences is willing to actively promote international academic exchange and deepening mutual understanding even under COVID-19 conditions.