PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT: Dr Sabah Abu-Zinaidah, Programme Development Consultant,
SAAD: Dr Carol Curran, Head of School of Nursing, UU: Professor Richard Barnett, Acting Vice-Chancellor,
University of Ulster: Jackie Simpson, Business Manager, UU: and Mike Beckley Senior Advisor and Governor of
SAAD Specialist Hospital

The ten-year agreement – the first of its kind in Ireland – signed between the University and SAAD Nursing and Allied Health Science College of Al-Khobar, will support the growth and development of the nursing profession in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States.
 
Students will follow a five year programme (including a year long internship) blending e-learning with traditional nurse education techniques, leading to the award of a BSc (Honours) in Nursing from the University of Ulster. The students will undertake clinical placements in their home country.
 
SAAD Nursing Allied Health Science College is a division of the SAAD Group which is the seventh largest company in Saudi Arabia and the twenty-fifth in the Gulf region.  SAAD, a diversified company has a long standing record of success in the health and human services sectors.
 
The agreement followed a worldwide search by the Saudi college to find a preferred supplier, ultimately choosing the University of Ulster over stiff competition from  institutions in the USA and continental Europe.
 
Dr Carol Curran, Head of the University's School of Nursing said: “We are delighted to be able to participate in such an exciting and innovative venture. 
 
“The School of Nursing has been delivering nursing programmes for over thirty years and is using this experience and expertise with a willing and able partner.  Nursing care transcends all cultural barriers and the School is delighted to be in a position to lead the educational programming for this unique initiative. This partnership reflects a shared regard for caring as the essence of nursing practice.”
 
Mr Mike Beckley, Senior Advisor and Governor of SAAD Specialist Hospital and representative of the SAAD Group, said that “SAAD is enthusiastic about realising its vision of raising the standard of healthcare in clinical practice in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - and is fortunate to have located a substantive and cooperative partner to achieve this ideal.”
 
Welcoming the agreement, Professor Richard Barnett, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, said; “This agreement creates a strong educational partnership and promotes a strengthening and enhancing of nursing skills and practice throughout the Middle East.”
 
The first cohort of a minimum of 25 students is to be recruited by September 2006. The programme is to be jointly approved by the Saudi Arabian Licencing Authority and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Higher Education.

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young