June 21, 2025
by Muhammad Farhan Mahmud and Dr. Hasanah Pairoh
Location: Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM Kuantan
The Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM recently had the privilege of hosting a delegation from Walailak University, Thailand, for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening academic ties and fostering international collaboration in nursing education.
A Warm Welcome and Opening Remarks
The visit began with a warm welcome by KON representatives and staff. The Opening and Welcoming Ceremony, held in the KON Meeting Room, set a collegial tone for the programme. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kamil Che Hasan, Dean of the Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM, delivered heartfelt welcoming remarks, highlighting the importance of international engagement in nursing education and introducing members of the KON academic team. In response, Asst. Prof. Dr. Orapen Sukhavulli, Dean of the School of Nursing, Walailak University, introduced her delegation and expressed appreciation for the warm reception. She also shared their aspirations for building meaningful and sustained academic partnerships with KON. Dr. Hasanah Pairoh, from KON’s Department of Professional Nursing Studies, served as the focal person for the visit, playing a key role in coordinating the programme and ensuring a smooth and productive exchange.
Institutional Overviews and Campus Insights
The programme continued with institutional presentations from both universities, offering comprehensive overviews of their academic structures, programmes, research initiatives, and international collaborations. A kulliyyah and campus tour followed, showcasing KON’s educational facilities and student-centered learning environment. Led by senior academic and administrative staff, the delegation visited key areas such as lecture halls, tutorial rooms, laboratories, and discussion spaces. They were introduced to various technologies that support theoretical and clinical instruction and briefed on the academic resources available. The visit highlighted KON’s holistic approach to nursing education, blending academic excellence with practical exposure. The Walailak University delegation expressed particular interest in how IIUM integrates Islamic values into its curriculum and staff development, noting the uniqueness of its educational philosophy.
Visit to Clinical Skills Centre (CSC)
The second day of the visit began at 9:30 AM with a tour of the Clinical Skills Centre (CSC). Mdm Rusliawati Abd Rahman, Senior Nurse Officer of KON, provided an in-depth explanation on how the CSC is managed and operated to support the academic and practical training of nursing students. While some facilities were not accessible due to final preparations for the upcoming Final Professional Examination 2025, the delegates were briefed on the functions, layout, and strategic importance of the simulation centre in developing clinical competencies.
Hospital Visit at SASMEC @IIUM
Following the campus tour, the delegation proceeded to Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre @IIUM (SASMEC @IIUM) for a hospital visit. During the visit, the delegates toured various wards and clinical units, gaining insight into the hospital’s operations and healthcare services. The delegation had the opportunity to engage with SASMEC @IIUM staff and received a comprehensive overview of the hospital’s facilities, patient care systems, and support services. A special highlight of the visit was a stop at the Halimatussaadia Mother’s Milk Centre (HMMC), where delegates learned about IIUM’s initiatives in supporting neonatal care, breastfeeding advocacy, and maternal-child health, all developed in accordance with Shariah compliance. The visit also allowed the delegates to observe Kulliyyah of Nursing students undergoing their clinical attachments in different wards and outpatient clinics. This provided a valuable perspective on IIUM’s approach to integrating hands-on clinical experience with academic training in nursing education.
Academic Collaboration Roundtable
The academic exchange continued with the Academic Collaboration Roundtable, where researchers and academicians from both institutions engaged in dynamic discussions on potential joint academic programmes, collaborative research initiatives, and student and staff mobility opportunities. The session served as a meaningful platform to explore future pathways for strengthening bilateral academic cooperation and deepening institutional ties.
Closing Session & Reflections
Heartfelt closing remarks were shared by representatives of both institutions, where mutual appreciation was extended and the commitment to long-term collaboration reaffirmed. Both the Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM, and the School of Nursing, Walailak University, expressed strong optimism for establishing sustainable partnerships in education, research, and professional training. KON is deeply honoured by the visit of our Thai counterparts. We are truly delighted by their presence and sincerely hope that this partnership will remain strong and enduring contributing meaningfully to the advancement of nursing education and practice at both regional and global levels.