Silliman, Deakin Strengthen Global Nursing Partnership Through 2026 Educational Tour

Silliman University (SU), through its College of Nursing (SUCN), welcomed faculty and students from the Deakin University School of Nursing and Midwifery (DUSNM) for their Educational Tour and Cultural Immersions 2026 held February 10–13, 2026 in Dumaguete City.

The four-day activity, conducted from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, featured lectures, conferences, field visits, hospital immersions, and community engagements designed to provide hands-on learning experiences and deepen participants’ understanding of Filipino culture and healthcare practices.

Leading the SUCN delegation were Dean Dr. Theorose June Q. Bustillo and Asst. Prof. Rochie C. Cagara, Related Learning Experience Community Coordinator. The Deakin delegation was composed of faculty members Ana O’Connell and Cynthia Boyd, along with 13 nursing students. They were joined by SU administrators and SUCN student nurses throughout the tour.

Activities on the first day included an orientation, a courtesy call to the Dumaguete City Health Office, and hospital tours at Silliman University Medical Center (SUMC), Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH), and Talay Rehabilitation Center, as well as engagements with SUCN students.

On the second day, the group paid a courtesy visit to SU administrators and toured the campus with the assistance of Campus Ambassadors. They also participated in sessions on complementary and alternative medicine, including herbal medicine and ear acupuncture activities.

Deakin nursing students engage in hands-on sessions on herbal medicine and ear acupuncture during their immersion at Silliman University.

The third day focused on hospital immersions at NOPH and SUMC, allowing Deakin students to observe and engage in clinical settings. On the final day, they joined SUCN Level III students enrolled in NCM 50 (Gerontology Nursing) for a community activity at Habitat 1 in Barangay Bajumpandan, culminating in a closing celebration.

The educational tour aimed to promote cross-cultural learning and collaboration between Deakin University and Silliman University, exposing students to community-based health practices in the Philippines and strengthening their appreciation of global health and cultural diversity.

Deakin students expressed deep gratitude for the experience, noting their admiration for SUCN student nurses’ ability to deliver high-quality care and community outreach despite limited resources.

Another batch of students from the DUSNM is expected to return next year for a new round of lectures and enhanced activities, further sustaining the partnership between the two institutions.