The W.I.D.E. Programme (Widening International Didactics & Education) officially commenced today at the University of Parma, with the educational project “Enhancing Critical Thinking and Clinical Reasoning: A Transformative Educational Programme for Nursing Students”, developed in collaboration with Palestine Polytechnic University, Hebron, Palestine.
Fully funded by the University of Parma, the programme is specifically aimed at students enrolled in the Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, with the objective of developing advanced clinical competencies, diagnostic reasoning abilities, and clinical practice skills, as well as promoting learning based on critical reflection.
W.I.D.E. is part of the University’s broader internationalisation strategy with non-European countries, which emphasises inclusion, diversity, and digital transformation. The project is structured into a virtual phase, consisting of five preparatory online sessions, followed by an intensive week of face-to-face training: from 28 April to 2 May 2025 at the University of Parma, and subsequently, on a date to be confirmed, at Palestine Polytechnic University.
The educational activities include lectures, small group work, and simulation sessions, designed to make the experience particularly meaningful and to offer students valuable opportunities for professional growth in an inclusive, multicultural, and interreligious context. The didactic approach integrates interactive and innovative methodologies, such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL), the development of simulated clinical scenarios, and mentorship activities oriented towards reflective practice.
All activities are conducted entirely in English, and students will be awarded 3 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits, fostering their personal and professional growth and preparing them to face global healthcare challenges with critical thinking, advanced skills, and cultural sensitivity, as highlighted by Professor Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor in Nursing Sciences at the University of Parma, and Dr Nesreen Alquaissi from the partner university.
