In the ever-expanding landscape of global collaboration in academia, partnerships between institutions are vital for fostering knowledge exchange, cultural understanding and innovative research. One such partnership that has been gaining momentum is the collaboration between Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (HUSM) in Japan and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC).
This partnership can be traced back to October 2019 when UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey Gold, MD and Jane Meza, PhD, associate vice chancellor for global engagement, visited HUSM. This visit laid the groundwork for what was to become a fruitful collaboration between the two institutions. Following this initial encounter, discussions continued, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in June 2020. Regular Zoom meetings and discussions have been ongoing. In October 2023, a delegation from HUSM visited UNMC, further strengthening ties between the institutions. Currently, efforts are underway to renew the MOU.
Key figures from the UNMC College of Nursing (CON) have been actively engaged in advancing this partnership and have developed the Visiting Nursing Student Immersion Experience, a five-day program encompassing educational, clinical, and cultural components. This immersive experience will provide students with valuable insights into nursing practices while fostering cultural exchange between the two institutions.
The partnership with Hamamatsu University School of Medicine holds significant importance for UNMC. Beyond academic collaboration, Hamamatsu’s reputation as an industrial city specializing in optical devices and medical instruments opens avenues for research collaboration and technological innovation. For UNMC, this partnership offers opportunities for research collaboration, student exchange, and cultural enrichment. Similarly, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine stands to benefit from UNMC’s expertise and resources in healthcare education and research.
“This partnership signifies a commitment to global collaboration and mutual learning, paving the way for innovative advancements in healthcare,” Meza said.
“We are excited to launch the program for our nursing students this year. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn state-of-the-art nursing practices outside Japan. We are hoping to grow more collaboration between students and faculties,” Miho Yamashita, MD, PhD, senior associate professor, international center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine.
Looking ahead, UNMC will welcome the first group of nursing students from Hamamatsu in October 2024. Additionally, discussions on potential research collaborations and student exchanges will continue.