College of Nursing welcomes delegation from Omani Ministry of Health

Omani delegates were recently hosted by the College of Nursing. (Seated, 3rd from left) Dr. Ahmed Al Qasmi, Dean Louise Fitzpatrick, H. E. Dr. Ali Talib Al Hinai and Mr. Said Saidi visited with students from the Sultanate at a September 28th reception.

On September 28 and 29, 2011 the College of Nursing welcomed a delegation from the Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman. His Excellency Dr. Ali Talib Al Hinai, Undersecretary of Planning Affairs; Dr. Ahmed Al Qasmi,  Advisor in Research and  Studies; and Mr. Said Saidi, Advisor in Administration, were hosted by the College during their visit to the Eastern United States.

The College enjoys a 17-year relationship with Oman’s Ministry of Health with nearly 200 Omanis earning their bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees from Villanova. These nursing alumni hold leadership positions in clinical practice, nursing education and health-care administration throughout their country. College faculty have also provided consultation and continuing education in Oman. In turn the Omani students have enriched Villanova culturally and intellectually.

The Omani guests met with students from the Sultanate, College faculty and administrators; learned more about College programs and initiatives; and toured nursing clinical sites in Philadelphia and the suburbs.  They also toured the Driscoll Hall classrooms and simulation labs and attended a reception with undergraduate and graduate Omani students and administrators in the Driscoll Hall lobby.