The University of Parma has recently concluded the W.I.D.E. Programme – “Digitally Enabled Nursing Students for an Inclusive, Compassionate, and Nursing Care Provision”, developed in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
Fully funded by the University of Parma, the programme offered an important educational and intercultural opportunity for nursing students and faculty from both institutions. Following online preparatory sessions and an initial in-person week in Muscat, the programme concluded with a dynamic in-person week of activities in Parma.
Throughout their stay in Parma, students took part in a wide range of academic and experiential learning activities, including:
• Specialised seminars on the integration of digital health in clinical nursing practice
• Small group work facilitated by expert tutors
• High-fidelity clinical simulation sessions
• Interactive presentations and role-playing exercises involving students from both universities
The programme provided a valuable platform for critical engagement with the ethical, professional, and practical dimensions of digital innovation in nursing. Particular attention was paid to the impact of digital health on patients’ quality of life, the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare systems, and the wellbeing and performance of healthcare professionals.
The initiative was made possible thanks to the expertise and commitment of an international team of faculty and tutors.
Special thanks are also extended to Professor Elena Giovanni Bignami, Chair of the Nursing Programme at the University of Parma, Dr Maryam Alharrasi, Acting Dean for Clinical Affairs of the College of Nursing at Sultan Qaboos University, and Dr Huda Al-Noumani, Dean of the College of Nursing at Sultan Qaboos University, for their unwavering support and encouragement.
The WIDE Programme, stated Professor Antonio Bonacaro, coordinator of the initiative: “confirms itself as a virtuous model of international cooperation and advanced nursing education, capable of integrating digital innovation, intercultural sensitivity, and compassionate care.”
