" [1]By Prof. Mzobz Mboya
Midrand, 6/7/2011 - On the 14th of June 2011 the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency)’s Education and Training Sector hosted a delegation from Gabon. The main objective of their mission was to learn more on the success and the challenges encountered by the various institutions in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) with regard to the implementation of the NEPAD Nursing and Midwifery Education Project in Africa.
The delegation led by Prof. Jean-Marc Minso Mi Ekome from the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education, Scientific Research, Innovation and Culture, were on a three country (South Africa, Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)) study visit regarding the implementation of the NEPAD nursing and midwifery project.
The Government of Gabon was one of the first countries in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to confirm their commitment towards the project.
Also present at the meeting at the NEPAD Agency offices in Midrand, were the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN), whose role is to manage the implementation of the project as well as the University of the Western Cape (UWC), a potential partner to implement the project in Gabon. During the meeting a presentation was made on the overview of the project in all the countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, DRC and Mozambique) with particular focus on the progress so far.
During their visit to South Africa, the delegation visited the University of Pretoria and the University of South Africa who provided the delegation with relevant information on similar projects that they were implementing in other countries. From South Africa the delegation travelled to Gaborone, Botswana to meet with staff at the University of Botswana. From there on they travelled to Lubumbashi, DRC to meet with staff of the Institute for Higher Technical Education of Lubumbashi.
The success of the Project on Nursing and Midwifery Education in Africa has shown that it is possible to develop a model on the commitment of Africa’s Educational Institutions in meeting the needs of countries with inadequate facilities of their own. This project is a realization of a mutual partnership between the NEPAD Agency and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
About the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency: The NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency) as the technical body of the African Union, works closely with the African Union Commission (AUC), regional economic communities, national governments, civil society and the private sector to push for programmes and projects that focus on improving the lives of the African people. The NEPAD Agency is the leading African development expert, able to mobilise the private sector, heads of state and African people as a force for positive change, building continental prosperity and regional integration. The major aim of the Project on Nursing and Midwifery Education is to facilitate and coordinate the establishment of essential health care services in the rural communities, among the poor and the most vulnerable.
For more information contact: Prof. Mzobz Mboya, Advisor: Education and Training and Youth,
Tel: +27-11 256 3624, Email: mzobanzim@nepad.org [2]. Also visit our website on www.nepad.org [3]
