Dr Jason Hickey, Associate Professor and CIHR Indigenous Research Chair, University of New Brunswick, Canada, along with Ms Erika Powell, Health Director, Under One Sky Friendship Centre, New Brunswick, Canada, visited Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE Manipal, from March 18th to 25th, 2024. The visit focused on exploring collaborative opportunities for research and understanding indigenous practices in India. Dr Judith A. Noronha, Dean, gave them an overview of the university and nursing college in particular. They interacted with MCON faculty and PhD scholars, exploring opportunities for collaborative research and participating in the Doctoral Advisory Committee for prospective PhD enrollments.

They also interacted with Dr Naveen Salins and Dr Krithika, faculty members, Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, KH Manipal, and discussed palliative and end-of-life care. A discussion with the faculty members of Community Medicine, KMC Manipal was held, where there was a sharing of the research done among the indigenous population in Canada and the research conducted among the indigenous population in India. The healthcare system in India and Canada was also discussed, and they shared about the challenges in conducting research among the indigenous population. They also visited the Yoga, Ayurveda and Siddha medicine departments. Dr. Neetinakumar J Patil, Associate Professor, Centre for Integrative Medicine & Research (CIMR) Division of Yoga, Dr. Aneesh E G, Assistant Professor, Division of Ayurveda, Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research, and Dr. Arul Amutham, Professor, Department of Siddha Medicine, oriented them about department courses, activities, strengths of the institution, and various research activities. They also did a yoga practice session, a demonstration of the practice of Siddha medicine, and the preparation of ayurvedic medicine used for multiple treatments.

During the visit, various guest lectures were arranged. Dr. Jason delivered a session on indigenous research for faculty and PhD scholars. A session on ‘My educational and career pathways’ was taken for semester 2 BSc Nursing students, where Dr Jason briefed them about his career pathways and opportunities for Nurses. Ms Erica gave a guest lecture for semester 4 BSc Nursing students on geriatric health in Canada, discussing the various care facilities for the older population in Canada. She also gave a guest lecture on ‘ maternal health and cultural safety of maternity care to indigenous women’ for 4th-year BSc Nursing students.

There was a discussion with the Directorate of Research, MAHE, and grant office to discuss potential funding opportunities for research and scholarly projects in India and the process of applying. They also interacted with the Director, of the Office of International Affairs and Collaborations, MAHE, who briefed them about the opportunities for collaborative research, international faculty, and adjunct faculty. They visited various facilities at MAHE, including Destination Manipal, MAP, Library, Simulation Lab, Culinary Museum, Smruthi Bhavan, and Endpoint. They also visited an old age home at the Goretti Hospital, Kalyanpura to interact with the elderly and those under palliative care.

Dr Linu briefed them about the nursing curriculum and teaching-learning approaches adopted by the faculty. They also interacted with the students of semesters 2 and 4 who had enrolled in the UNB program. They discussed nursing in Canada, flexibility in working hours, the scope of travel for nursing students, and the provision of visas and accommodation for internship students. Students also clarified their queries with them.

On the last day, a wrap-up session at MCON was held to share their experience during the visit. They also met Pro Vice Chancellor Dr. Sharath Kumar Rao, who welcomed future collaborations with the university. Mrs. Prima J J Dsouza, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Fundamentals of Nursing, MCON, coordinated the visit.