New Ireland Province is taking steps to strengthen its healthcare workforce through a proposed international partnership that could provide new training and scholarship opportunities for nursing students and educators.
Governor Byron Chan recently held discussions with executives of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in Manila, Philippines, on the possibility of establishing a formal partnership between the university and New Ireland’s Lemakot Nursing College.
The discussions focused on improving nursing and healthcare education through academic exchanges, specialist training programs, scholarships, and clinical attachments.
Governor Chan said the initiative is part of the Provincial Government’s broader commitment to investing in education and preparing young people for future employment opportunities.
“We want our students to have access to the best possible training and learning opportunities while strengthening our own institutions here in New Ireland,” he said.
The University of Perpetual Help is recognised as one of the Philippines’ leading private higher education institutions and is closely linked to the University of Perpetual Help Medical Center, a modern teaching hospital that provides practical clinical training for healthcare students.
Governor Chan said access to such facilities could greatly benefit nursing students and lecturers from Lemakot Nursing College by exposing them to international standards in healthcare education and practice.
Under the proposed partnership, students could gain access to scholarship opportunities, advanced training programs and specialist courses, while lecturers may benefit from professional development and academic exchange programs.
The two parties have agreed to pursue a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is now being developed as the next step toward establishing a long-term partnership.
Governor Chan said investing in education remains one of the most effective ways of building a stronger future for the province.
“The future of New Ireland will be determined by the skills, knowledge and leadership of our people. Every investment we make in education today is an investment in a stronger and more prosperous province tomorrow,” he said.
The Provincial Government and the university are expected to continue discussions in the coming months as they work towards finalising the proposed agreement.
If realised, the partnership is expected to create new educational pathways for nursing students while helping strengthen healthcare training in New Ireland Province.