UNC Starts First Master’s Degree Program in Vietnam
March 31, 2017
Above: Students in the new program join UNC School of Nursing Director Faye Hummel, fifth from left, Provost Robbyn Wacker, next to Hummel, and Assistant Professor Katrina Einhellig during an introductory ceremony Friday in Ho Chi Minh City.
March 31, 2017 — The University of Northern Colorado is expanding its international reach by partnering with Hong Bang International University to deliver the Vietnam institution's first master's degree program in nursing.
While UNC has established international partnerships with over 40 institutions on four continents, this is the university's first program that will be offered on premises of a campus abroad.
UNC Provost Robbyn Wacker, School of Nursing Director Faye Hummel and Assistant Professor Katrina Einhellig attended a ceremony Friday at the Ho Chi Minh City university to formally introduce the program and welcome the first cohort of students, who also started their classes Friday.
"This program is an important piece of our strategic intentions to bring UNC education to the world through our international partners," said Wacker. "Vietnam is a growing economy and an important country in East Asia. They also have a growing and aging population, and this partnership will help them prepare qualified nursing professionals to address their growing health care needs."
The partnership, which Wacker said will expand into other academic disciplines, is the result of a multiyear effort led by Hummel, who has two decades of experience contributing to and advancing medical education and improving health care in Vietnam through the non-governmental organization Friendship Bridge Nurses Group.
"Dr. Hummel and her colleagues in the School of Nursing and at Hong Ba ng International University have developed an innovative program that will provide opportunities for well-qualified nurses in Vietnam to advance their clinical knowledge and skills at a highly respected university with support from outstanding faculty from UNC," said College of Natural and Health Sciences Dean Ellen Gregg, who has also been instrumental in the support of this partnership. "The program will enhance health care in Vietnam and promote understanding of nursing practices across cultures."
Others instrumental in securing the partnership were Extended Campus Director Jeanie York, Office of Global Engagement Director Maureen Ulevich, and Associate Dean Linda Black, who is also Dean of the Graduate School and International Admissions.
Hummel presents during the ceremony to announce the new program.
"It truly takes a team," Wacker said. "We couldn't have done this without everyone's support."
About the Program
The Master's in Nursing with an Advanced Nurse Generalist focus at Hong Bang International University is a 36-credit program that meets international nursing education standards. The outcomes of the program include:
- Advanced professional nursing knowledge to meet the complex and changing health and health care needs
- Application of scientific research to improve patient care practices and nursing teaching
- Enhanced team building and leadership skills
- Improved English-language skills and competencies
- Increased technology and eLearning skills and competencies
- Collaboration of UNC and HBIU faculty and staff
- Increased understanding of diverse values, beliefs and practices that impact health and health care.
- The master's program will be delivered in a hybrid method in English. This means nursing professors from the United States will meet with students in Vietnam in the face- to-face classroom for 40 percent of each course. Students will learn from the UNC professor for the remainder of the class by eLearning.
