A briefing session by the students who visited the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) was held.

On October 3 (Mon), there was a briefing session of the trip to the WPRO. 

After an outline of the trip provided by the teacher in charge of the student organization, who accompanied the students on their trip, the two students reported what they had thought and done during the trip. 

The students reported that experiencing different cultures as well as having a rare opportunity to talk with the health administration staff and feeling their passion had helped them broaden their views and think about the future from a new perspective. We would like to thank the WPRO staff who gladly accepted the students’ visit and offered a valuable opportunity.

Both of the students also felt the “importance of acquiring proficiency in English”. S became aware of the significance of “studying English in order to work in international society” instead of “not planning to work in international society because of a lack of proficiency in English”. This awareness indicates the significance of the students’ learning from the study trip.

Prior to the trip, the student organization worked together to make preparations by studying about the Philippines and making a list of issues they wished to understand. This effectively supported the two students who made the trip. The advice from other members who had visited the WHO head office last November was also very helpful. The students stated that they planned to share the good and bad points with regard to their trip to the WPRO, and so help in planning the next study trip.    

A visit to the University of Santo Tomas with staff of the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO).

From September 1 to 7, we, two nursing students belonging to the student organization, visited the University of Santo Tomas (UST), located in Manila, the Philippines, together with staff of the WPRO.

At the WPRO, we participated in the meeting for building a WHO collaborating center (WHO-CC) specialized in interprofessional education (IPE) and promoted the appeal of IPE from our viewpoints as students. We also received valuable information that the WPRO receives interns and allocates them to work in countries in supported regions. This provides an opportunity to catch a glimpse of international health administration while working to support the WPRO staff. We hope to send interns from Gunma University or other universities belonging to the Japan Interprofessional Working and Education Network (JIPWEN).

At the UST, we were allowed to observe the College of Nursing and College of Rehabilitation Sciences. The UST, a university with a history of 400 years, has nurtured many talented graduates working in Western countries as well as Japan. Through the well-organized offices of the deans of the colleges, we were introduced to their curriculum and allowed to observe their classes. The UST students were all friendly and greeted us with smiles.

We will report about the visit in detail at the SIPEC study meeting held after the start of the second semester. Please come to the meeting, because we hope to share our exciting experiences with you.

The theme is “Teamwork, community healthcare, and international healthcare”.

The participants will learn by discussing matters of their interest along with the theme. Students in their third and fourth years will be able to discuss what they have learned and experienced, such as teamwork training. Students in their first and second years will be able to find topics and clues for their future studies and have opportunities to learn much from senior students. All participants will be able to realize a valuable learning experience regardless of their academic years.

We aim to foster healthcare workers who can actively work in wide fields by having our students achieve comprehensive scholastic competency (knowledge, skills, attitude, and creative thinking) through proactive tasks.

Later, they will also experience cooperative activities with student organizations of other universities and conduct overseas visits to healthcare-related organizations.

Present activities

Approximately 30 students belonging to the Faculty of Medicine, comprised of those from the Graduate School of Medicines and those from the Graduate School of Health Sciences, are registered.

Past activities

September 29, 2010 　Held a briefing of SIPEC-GU and established the student organization

November 2 – 9, 2010　　Visited the World Health Organization (3 members)

February 19, 2011　Student presentation at the GP symposium

2010　Held seven study meetings