UMG and Catholic University of Brasilia agree on training partnership for nursing students
The University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) and the Catholic University of Brasilia (Universidade Católica de Brasília, UCB) have signed a Letter of Intent to intensify their educational partnership. A central component of the agreement is to incorporate modules from nursing training in Lower Saxony into the curriculum of the Brazilian degree course at the UCB. A further focus is on the acquisition of sound German language skills as part of the course. This should give UCB students the option of starting their working life in Lower Saxony directly after successfully completing their nursing studies. The cooperation agreement is to be drawn up by the end of the year.
Currently, nursing professionals from third countries who decide to come to Germany usually have to complete an adaptation period or a knowledge test in a German healthcare facility, despite having completed vocational training or studies in their home country. They also have to successfully complete extensive language tests. The memorandum of understanding now paves the way for facilitating the integration of Brazilian nurses into the German healthcare system in the future.
Specifically, the educational partnership includes the development and implementation of a customized curriculum for students of the “Bachelor of Science in Nursing” at the UCB. The Brazilian academic content is supplemented with additional specific German elements and combined with in-depth practical training in various healthcare facilities in Brazil. The study program also includes accompanying German lessons and intercultural training. The program is aimed both at future nurses who are preparing for a career in Germany and those who want to work in Brazil. Each year, 30 UCB students have the opportunity to complete the specially tailored study program.
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Brück, Chief Executive Officer of the UMG, says: “With the expanded curriculum of the nursing degree program at the UCB and the focus on language and intercultural training, we will be able to attract more highly qualified nurses to the University Medical Center Göttingen in the future. The declaration of intent with its measures is an important step towards reducing the nursing shortage in the German healthcare system and can serve as a model for other clinical institutions.”
Prof. Dr. Carlos Longo, Rector of UCB, says: “The Catholic University of Brasilia aims to transform lives, conduct research, and train professionals for the public and private sectors. By entering into this partnership, we not only engage ourselves with a program that directly aligns with our goals, but we also strengthen our academic and research relationships with German universities. We hope that this partnership can bring results for both educational institutions and society, through the solid training of healthcare professionals who can work in Brazil and Germany. We at UCB are very excited about this partnership, which we are confident will be a milestone of success for both educational institutions and the relationship between Brazil and Germany.“
Helle Dokken, Director of Nursing at the UMG, emphasizes: “We are very pleased about the agreement. With the adapted degree program at the UCB, we are providing our future Brazilian colleagues with a very structured qualification in nursing and thus facilitating their access to the German healthcare system. At the same time, we want to strengthen the cross-national and cross-cultural exchange of experience in nursing between UMG and UCB - we can learn a lot from each other here.”
Background
Due to an increasingly ageing society, the care sector in Germany is particularly affected by a major shortage of skilled workers. At the end of 2021, the number of people in need of care in Germany was almost five million - according to forecasts by the Federal Statistical Office, the trend is set to continue. One reason for the growing number of older people is that the baby boomer generation will reach retirement age in the next ten years. Another reason for this development is better medical care and the fact that the standard of care has been rising for years.
According to the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, immigration of foreign nursing staff is urgently needed as there is a shortage of skilled workers in Germany. According to an estimate by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the number of people available to the German labor market is expected to fall from 45.7 million to 40.4 million by 2060.
About the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG)
The University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) unites the Medical Faculty of the Georg-August University and the University Hospital under one roof in the integration model. In addition to research and teaching, patient care is the third central focus of the UMG. With around 1,600 inpatient and day-care beds, the hospital is the only maximum care provider in southern Lower Saxony. With almost 9,700 employees, the UMG and its subsidiaries are one of the largest employers in the region. Around 60 clinics, institutes and departments stand for high-quality patient care, excellent research and modern teaching. All basic medical disciplines are represented, as well as a wide range of specialist medical disciplines in diagnostics and therapy. Every year, the UMG treats around 60,000 inpatients and around 220,000 outpatients.
As a city of science, Göttingen is located in the center of Germany and the University Medical Center is integrated into an attractive network of university and non-university scientific institutions.
About the Catholic University of Brasilia (Universidade Católica de Brasília, UCB)
Created on March 12, 1974, the Catholic College of Human Sciences (FCCH), the name given to the current UCB at the time, was the first educational unit to offer three courses: Economics, Administration, and Pedagogy in Brazilian Capital City.
In 1994, the Catholic College became recognized by the Ministry of Education as a University, maintaining in its essence the promotion of knowledge, without neglecting spirituality based on Christian ethics. Following its exponential growth rate, in 1999 the University began offering the Dentistry course and, in 2001, included Medicine in its portfolio which have undergraduate programs in all health areas including nursing; physiotherapy; nutrition and fisic education . Today, affectionately known as Católica or simply UCB, the Catholic University of Brasília has 49 years of foundation and is present in two campuses in the Federal District: Ceilândia and Taguatinga. The Taguatinga Campus was the first unit of the Catholic University of Brasília, and currently has an area of about 620,000 m² with over 190 practice laboratories in the health and computing fields. UCB has over 40 undergraduate courses and 10 postgraduate programs, being the second largest university in Brasília. Recognized for excellence in the areas of health and information technology, with over 200 registered patents and products developed in our laboratories in conjunction with the pharmaceutical industry sold in Brazil and the USA.
In addition to its academic programs, UCB is also known for its commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. The university actively promotes volunteer work and social projects, encouraging students to make a positive impact in society.
UCB has also established partnerships with various national and international institutions, fostering academic and research collaborations. These partnerships provide students with opportunities for exchange programs, internships, and research projects, enhancing their educational experience.
Over the years, UCB has received numerous accolades and recognition for its academic excellence and contributions to society. The university continues to strive for innovation and growth, preparing students to become leaders in their respective fields and make a difference in the world.
CONTACT
University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen
Corporate Communication
Lena Bösch (Press contact UMG)
Von-Siebold-Str. 3, 37075 Göttingen
Phone +49 551 / 39-61020, Fax +49 551 / 39-61023
presse.medizin(at)med.uni-goettingen.de
www.umg.eu