USF Nursing Signs Collaborative Agreements with Thailand’s Burapha and Srinakharinwirot Universities

During a whirlwind week of activities in Thailand, a University of South Florida College of Nursing group led by by Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, Senior Associate Vice President, USF Health and Dean, USF College of Nursing established the historic first international collaborative agreements in nursing with universities in Thailand. Accompanying Dean Morrison-Beedy was LaRon E. Nelson, PhD, RN, NP, Assistant Dean for Global & Community Affairs, USF College of Nursing. These agreements for collaboration with Burapha University and Srinakharinwirot University are part of the College’s initiative called POWER with Nursing: Partnership Opportunities for Wellness, Education and Research. 

Dean Dianne Morrison-Beedy and Assistant Dean LaRon Nelson in Thailand

View a video message by Dean Dianne Morrison-Beedy below:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/2v1mRFMxS_4[/youtube]

The collaboration agreements were signed in two ceremonies,  Tuesday Feb. 5, 2013 at 9:30 pm with Rarcharneeporn Subgranon, PhD, RN, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Burapha University and Wednesday Feb. 6, 2013 at 10:45 pm with Sasithorn Wanapong, PhD, RN, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Srinakharinwirot University.

Burapha University signing ceremony:
Dean Rarcharneeporn Subgranon and
Dean Dianne Morrison-Beedy

Srinakharinwirot University signing ceremony:
Dean Sasithorn Wanapong and
Dean Dianne Morrison-Beedy

“The USF College of Nursing is very enthusiastic about the  opportunities for research and education this collaboration represents,” said Dean Morrison-Beedy. “Both Burapha University and Srinakharinwirot University have exceptional nursing programs, and and we are proud to partner with them!”

Assistant Professor Wichitporn Lausuwanagoon, Damrongsak Songaiad, and Dean Rarcharneeporn Subgranon, Burapha University and
Dean Morrison-Beedy and Assistant Dean LaRon Nelson, University of South Florida

Assistant Dean LaRon Nelson and Dean Morrison-Beedy, University of South Florida and
President Chalermchai Boonyaleepunat and Dean Sasithorn Wanapong, Srinakharinwirot University

“The overall goals of these collaborative agreements with the nursing programs at Burapha University and Srinakharinwirot University twofold,” said Assistant Dean LaRon Nelson. “We will contribute to the research capacity of Thai nursing faculty by producing Thai Nurse Scientists via our world-class PhD program and mentoring with research faculty who are leaders in their research fields; and facilitate the collaborative international application of USF College of Nurisng research to support Thai nurse researchers in their ongoing efforts to address locally-identified nursing priority areas.”

While there are similarities in the agreements with the Thai universities, they are flexible in the specifics of  each collaboration. The USF College of Nursing will work with each partner to provide a collaboration that meets both their needs and USF’s. Currently, discussions have resulted in the following collaborative ideas:

Burapha University

• Up to 4 Thai nursing leaders will be matched with up to 4 USF College of Nursing researchers who will mentor and supervise the students upon entry into the doctoral program.
• Nursing leaders who are accepted to the PhD program will be funded by the government of Thailand to study their PhDs in Nursing at USF College of Nursing.
• Opportunities for USF College of Nursing faculty research in locally-identified Thailand nursing priority areas: areas of end of life care, support for caregivers of the elderly, cancer symptom management, and primary and secondary HIV prevention.

Srinakharinwirot University

• Post-doc scientist from Srinakharinwirot University to be mentored over 12-months by senior USF College of Nursing scientist.
• Focus on developing enhanced research skills and publishing as first author on at least 1 data-based article in an international peer-reviewed journal by the end of the post-doc.

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work with these Thai nursing leaders as they develop into nursing research scientists,” said Susan C. McMillan, PhD, ARNP, FAAN, Distinguished Professor, Thompson Professor of Oncology Nursing. “They will enrich our College and provide yet another avenue for USF to expand its influence around the globe.”

In January 2013, representatives from Burapha University, Thailand visited USF Health resulting in a signed agreement for collaborating in an academic partnership. See USF Health signs collaborative agreements with Thailand’s Burapha University.

Through POWER with Nursing, our Partnership Opportunities for Wellness, Education and Research, the College of Nursing’s initiatives with existing and expanding collaborations stretch across the region, nation and globe. POWER with Nursing provides opportunities to collaborate with the USF College of Nursing on important initiatives like expanding the research residencies program, providing increased opportunities for interprofessional education, and expanding USF Global nursing programs.