NWU, Mafikeng Nursing Department host international conference
The Department of Nursing Science at the North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, hosted a very successful international conference on Health Science Education, Leadership and Practice. The conference was held from 15 to 17 April 2015 at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.
Dignitaries attending were, among others, the MEC of Health in Gauteng Province, Qedani Mahlangu, MEC of Health in the North West Province, Dr Magome Masike, and Daphney Mohube, Executive Manager for Strategic Planning-Department of Education in the North West Province.
Some of the keynote speakers were Prof Wendy Sword, RN, PhD, who is the Director of the School of Nursing and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada, who addressed delegates on the topic of trends in higher education: preparing practitioners of the future. Dr Jabulile Makhanya, a Chief Nursing Officer in South Africa, spoke on capacity development in healthcare sciences. The Head of Nursing Science and Chairperson of the School of Health Care Sciences at the University of Pretoria, Prof Fhumulani Mulauzi, spoke on innovation in scholarship, leadership and nursing practice: an Ubuntu-informed approach.
The conference, funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies, was officially opened by the Campus Rector, Prof Mashudu Davhana-Maselesele, who had this to say to the attendees: "This conference afforded health practitioners, educators, leaders, human and social scientists, other scientists and students across the globe the opportunity of sharing their knowledge, practical experiences, research and network with one another through concurrent abstract sessions, plenary sessions, workshops and social functions."
Different medical and health companies such as Respiratory Care Africa, which deals with monitoring medical equipment and consumables, and Anatomical Parts and Charts, which works with simulators for healthcare education, had an opportunity to exhibit their products during the three days of the conference.