Professors from Western Sydney University Visit Asia University College of Nursing to Strengthen Academic Exchange
To promote international academic exchange and deepen collaboration in nursing education, Asia University College of Nursing hosted Professor Kath Peters, Associate Dean of International Engagement, and Professor Lucie Ramjan, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University (WSU), on April 9, 2025. The visit focused on academic exchange and exploring potential areas of further collaboration.
Dean of Asia University College of Nursing, Dr. Wu Hua-Shan, noted that the partnership between Asia University and WSU has been well-established for many years. Beyond annually supporting Asia University nursing students’ New Southbound “Dreaming Abroad” internship program, WSU faculty also participate in the College’s fully English “Global Interdisciplinary Healthcare” summer micro-course. Faculty members from WSU share their research expertise during this program. During this visit, under the long-standing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions, Professors Peters and Ramjan discussed joint initiatives, including a dual-degree program for nursing master’s students and short-term exchange opportunities for Australian nursing students at Asia University.
During the visit, both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on nursing curriculum design and clinical skills training. Asia University College of Nursing showcased Taiwan’s first Future Nursing Center, where Associate Professor Peng Yi-Chi demonstrated the advanced MegaCode Kelly manikin. She explained the design of diverse simulation scenarios, allowing students to practice critical care skills such as airway management, defibrillation, and extracorporeal cardiac massage. In live demonstrations, instructors used tablets to adjust the manikin’s physiological parameters in real time, creating highly realistic clinical scenarios that strengthened students’ emergency response and technical skills.
Considering Taiwan’s location in a seismically active region, disaster response training has become increasingly important. The College has integrated trauma emergency care into the curriculum, using MegaCode Kelly to simulate earthquake-related injuries, including multiple fractures and severe bleeding. This allows students to practice real-life responses, enhancing clinical judgment, technical proficiency, and emergency preparedness. Assistant Professor He Yan-Zhong also introduced the newly developed Generative AI Virtual Patient Clinical Training System, which offers a risk-free yet highly realistic platform for clinical communication practice. The AI system provides immediate feedback on each interaction, helping students bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Professors Peters and Ramjan highly commended Asia University’s innovative use of advanced simulation and emerging technologies (VR/AR/AI) in nursing education, expressing strong interest in deepening future collaboration to cultivate nursing professionals with exceptional clinical skills and international perspectives.
During the visit, Professors Peters and Ramjan delivered an engaging lecture and interactive session at the Smart Nursing Lecture Hall for nearly 90 students from the International Nursing Program, post-bachelor nursing students, and other students interested in Australian nursing. They introduced WSU’s unique programs, master’s degree requirements, the Australian nursing education system, and the latest workplace trends and salary conditions, sparking lively discussion. Students who had participated in the New Southbound “Dreaming Abroad” program earlier in 2025 proactively discussed future plans with Professor Peters, including applying for programs that connect Australian licensure to clinical practice after passing the nursing licensure exam in July. Students expressed gratitude for the careful planning that enables a seamless pathway from fully English international nursing courses to internships and professional opportunities in Australia.
