OIST enrols first vocational students

OFP head, Rabiul Islam, reports that the Oasis Institute for Science and Technology has now enrolled its first two “batches” of students to the diploma programs in Computer Technology and Civil Engineering (photo). Tuition fees are modest, about $35 CAD per month. Four of the thirty-two students have tuition waivers, including two Bluebell graduates. OFP has hired qualified faculty with a very modest budget topped up by contributions from BHP. Over time we are hoping that OIST tuition will cover all operating costs. In the meantime, we welcome your contributions, We spend 100% of all donations that we receive on projects in Bangladesh, using BHP director donations for our minimal administration costs.

Congratulations to Mid-Main CHC

BHP’s long-time sponsor, Mid Main Community Health Centre, moved into a brand-new purpose-built clinic this month. The new premises are close to Mid-Main’s former home on Main Street in Vancouver. That building was satisfactory but near the end of its life and certainly not ideal for working under Covid conditions. Mid-Main’s Executive Director Irene Clarence led the entire CHC team through a planning process with the architects so the new space is designed around patients’ needs. “After two years of planning,” Irene says, “We are thrilled to have a new home that is so well-suited to the community health centre model of care.”

Extending our impact

In previous posts we described how the impact of BHP volunteers is being extended through Open Educational Resources distributed by Nurses International (NI). Our latest contribution creates access to administrative policies, templates, and tools that can be used by educational institutions for their nursing programs.

Dr. Karen Lund and Alex Berland originally developed these administrative resources, which now have potential for global impact. This continues the collaboration of BHP, IUBAT College of Nursing, and NI. Previously, the IUBAT English-medium BScN curriculum was converted by NI into an international resource that has been used in more than 140 countries.

Each jurisdiction has its own regulations related to nurse education programs. Because these materials are now “Open”, users can freely download and adapt them to comply with their regulatory environment. If you would like to contribute policies and procedures, please contact info@nursesinternational.org.