Dalhousie University Partners with Indian Institute to Launch Nursing Program

Dalhousie University in Halifax has established a new partnership with the SRM Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai, India, to create a dual-degree nursing program. Announced on March 15, 2024, this initiative will allow students in India to earn nursing degrees from both institutions, with the program set to be taught in Chennai.

Under the terms of a signed memorandum of understanding, the program will accommodate 25 students, enabling graduates to practice nursing in both India and Nova Scotia. Matt Hebb, Vice-President of Strategic Engagement at Dalhousie, emphasized that this program is designed to facilitate a pathway for Indian nurses to work in Nova Scotia.

“The students will be able to come into Nova Scotia, write their NCLEX [nursing exams], and be qualified to practice here in the province,” Hebb stated. Collaborative efforts have been made with the Department of Health, the Nova Scotia Health Authority, and the College of Nurses to ensure a clear and effective pathway for these new nursing professionals.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) expressed its commitment to the program through a spokesperson, who noted that they are collaborating with Dalhousie and their Indian partners to ensure positive clinical learning experiences for students. The spokesperson stated in an email, “Our current role is to work with Dal and India partners to ensure clinical learning experiences are positive for students from India who do some of their program at Dalhousie, in Nova Scotia.”

As the program develops, Dalhousie is considering sending faculty members to Chennai to provide instruction. There is also a possibility that some students will have the opportunity to train at Dalhousie in Nova Scotia. While the university aims to have the program operational by Fall 2024, there is a chance the timeline may adjust.

Expanding Global Partnerships

SRM Institute of Science and Technology is recognized as one of the top-ranking universities in India, boasting a student population exceeding 60,000. The institution offers various undergraduate and graduate programs, including those in medicine and health sciences.

Hebb highlighted Dalhousie’s ambition to forge further international partnerships. “As a flagship institution, it’s important that our programs have a global reach,” he remarked. “It’s truly our ambition to elevate Nova Scotia’s place in the world through our academic collaborations.”

The dual-degree nursing program is part of a broader strategy, as Dalhousie recently announced two additional agreements with Indian institutions. Alongside the nursing partnership, the university revealed a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati. This three-way partnership will facilitate graduate-level research and innovation on a shared campus in Tirupati.

Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to support collaborative agricultural research and education. These initiatives demonstrate Dalhousie University’s commitment to expanding its influence and fostering international educational opportunities.