A new link-up between Edinburgh Napier and a leading overseas heart charity is set to enhance the University’s student learning opportunities in Singapore.
Announced on World Heart Day 2016, the University has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Singapore Heart Foundation.
The agreement will initially see students from the BSc Nursing programme within Singapore volunteer with the charity to increase its provision of individual health assessments. At present, the charity conducts assessments for around 3000 Singapore residents a year, but it is hoped that the University’s involvement will help increase this number in the months ahead. The assessments are primarily for people who cannot afford health insurance.
The understanding will also allow for the exploration of further opportunities for research collaboration, helping enhance Edinburgh Napier’s academic reputation within international healthcare.
Dr Susan Dawkes, associate professor, School Academic Lead for Learning, Teaching and Assessment, School of Health and Social Care, said: “Edinburgh Napier has been growing its relationship with the Singapore Heart Foundation for nearly a year and we’re delighted to have signed this memorandum of understanding with the organisation.
“Alongside giving our students in Singapore access to important health assessment experience, the link-up will also allow both the University and Singapore Heart Foundation to explore potential opportunities for research collaboration; it’s an exciting partnership and one that I’m looking forward to further developing throughout the coming months.
“Our students are already playing their part in increasing the charity’s resource to carry out health assessments on individuals and we hope we can continue to play our part in enhancing this service.”
The Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF), formerly known as the Singapore National Heart Association (SNHA), is a non-profit charitable organisation at the forefront of the battle against heart disease in Singapore.
SHF is a member of the World Heart Federation and has strong ties with other heart foundations in the Asia Pacific region. It has contributed to the inauguration of the International Chinese Heart Health Network and helped to launch the Asia Pacific Heart Network.
World Heart Day on 29 September is the World Heart Federation's (and the world's!) biggest platform for raising awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD). More information on the day can be found here.