- Posted on 15 Dec 2025
- 3 min 52 sec read
Strengthening Nursing Education in Vanuatu
The Vanuatu College of Nursing Education (VCNE), under the Vanuatu Ministry of Health, has been continuously working towards strengthening nursing education through the registration and accreditation of undergraduate degrees in nursing.
Building a skilled nursing workforce
The Vanuatu Initiative to Improving Nursing Education (VIINE) Phase 3 Project, which commenced in April 2025, focuses on strengthening the nursing workforce in the Pacific by providing ongoing technical support to the Vanuatu College of Nursing Education (VCNE). This third phase of this work involves revising and upgrading the Bachelor of Nursing (BN (Conversion)) curriculum and expanding the three-year BN curriculum into a four-year accredited course.
The development of associated teaching and clinical guides is crucial to ensure both curriculums meet national qualification standards. As such, the WHO CCNMH UTS team, consisting of Professor Di Brown, Dr Jan Forber, and Ms. Amanda Neill, recently completed a successful in-country visit to Port Vila, Vanuatu from 27 to 30 October 2025.
Professional development for nursing educators
A primary activity was delivering a Fast Track Program for nursing and midwifery educators at VCNE that focused on improving teaching and learning skills and capacity to support students in the Advanced Diploma of Nursing. This intensive workshop inaugurated a six-month professional development program designed to build essential skills in curriculum design and evaluation; designing student-centred learning; improving assessment practices; designing and implementing changes in classroom teaching; and building research capabilities.
Thirteen health educators (9 females and 4 males) attended the workshop, with two visiting teachers from the Tonga National University, whose participation was funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) Partnerships for a Healthy Region (PHR) Strengthening Health Workforce in the Pacific (SHWP) program.
Initial feedback for the workshop indicated that participants found the teaching and learning processes both interesting and useful.
As a result, further workshops have been planned for December and early 2026, prior to the first group of students heading to clinical settings.
Strengthening partnerships
During the October visit, the WHO CCNMH UTS team also met with key partners and stakeholders, including Mr Sjoerd Postma, Director of the Vanuatu Australia Health Partnership (VAHP), for updates on work and developments, and discussions regarding the project and future planning. The team also met with Ms Harriet Sam, Principal Nursing Officer (PNO), to provide updates on project activities and ensure alignment between both partners regarding current and future program directions.
A meeting was also held with the DFAT Vanuatu Health Planning Design Team at the Australian High Commission, with the Design Team expressing interest in the PHR SHWP and VIINE work undertaken by WHO CCNMH UTS in Vanuatu, particularly regarding the future directions for nursing education and VCNE that might impact health planning over the upcoming four to eight years.
The team also had the opportunity to meet with VCNE leadership, including with Principal Mrs Evelyn Emile and Ms Keliza Maialong (Quality Assurance Coordinator), strengthening the partnership further.
Project progress
Significant progress has been made for Phase 3 to date; the BN (Conversion) was submitted to the Vanuatu Nursing Council and Vanuatu Qualifications Authority (VQA) for approval in August this year. There is hope for a positive decision by the end of the year for the program commencement in early 2026.
This project progress is only possible due to the positive collaborations and support of all partners and stakeholders, who remain committed to strengthening the nursing and midwifery capacity in Vanuatu, and across the Pacific.
Read more about the visit: Brief 3: Visit to Port Vila, Vanuatu 27 to 30 October 2025 (PDF, 1.4MB)
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