The University of the Free State (UFS) and the University of Virginia (UVA) have been collaborating for more than a decade now, focusing on the critical area of global health. During this period, the universities have successfully developed global health researchers, some of whom have also worked internationally.
The UFS is currently (July 2024) hosting four students from the University of Virginia in the United States as part of a new global health programme between the two institutions. Simone Minor (third-year Global Public Health and Sociology), Eliza Piché (third-year Public Policy), Nykera Wallop (fourth-year Sociology), and Anand Colaco (fifth-year Psychology) – all passionate about public health – are visiting the university through the InterSciComm initiative. This collaboration, currently in its pilot phase, involves the UFS School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SoHRS) and the UVA Centre for Global Health Equity.
According to John-Paul Khumalo, Research Assistant for Research, Reporting and Strategic Projects in the Office for International Affairs, the programme was inspired by a shared commitment to fostering interprofessional collaboration and addressing global health challenges.
“The Interprofessional Science Communication (InterSciComm) initiative aims to promote collaboration between UFS and UVA scholars and their surrounding communities through innovative learning and teaching methodologies to tackle social disparities in health care. The programme began following a site visit by the UVA’s Director of Global Health Equity, Prof Scott Heysell, in July 2023. Prof Heysell aimed to explore ways of reinforcing the fairly young partnership between the two institutions, which budded in 2017 as a result of the University Staff Doctoral Programme (USDP) project,” says Khumalo.
Building cross-cultural and interprofessional skills
Dr Anke van der Merwe, who is leading the project from the SoHRS, states that InterSciComm seeks to advance undergraduate teaching and learning in a diverse and digitalised environment, contributing to the achievement of UFS Vision130 by enhancing student experiences and producing globally competitive graduates.
Khumalo adds that the programme supports Vision 130 by also maximising societal impact through sustainable relationships and international knowledge exchange, thereby internationalising the curriculum.
The initiative pairs SoHRS students enrolled in the interprofessional SHRS3700 module with selected UVA students, who act as peer collaborators as part of a science communication assignment. Dr Van der Merwe believes that the initiative provides opportunities to discuss the tasked assignment from varied perspectives, enhancing the final product, which aims to develop the invaluable skill of communicating health-care information to the broader public. Anand remarked that being here in South Africa is the single biggest cross-cultural experience of his life. He believes this initiative really expands beyond the classroom for them, the UFS students, and the lecturers.
The students expressed the desire to replicate some of the impactful work they observed in South Africa back home in Charlottesville. Nykera appreciated how the experience broadened her worldview, stressing the importance of community involvement. Simone and Eliza agreed on the necessity of not only assuming someone’s needs. “It is important to understand the community’s needs by listening to them and learning from them,” commented Simone.
Dr Van der Merwe highlighted the professional and cross-cultural development fostered through various campus engagements, including class engagements, interprofessional discussions, and visits to sites and communities in and around Bloemfontein. During their time on campus, the students also engaged with multiple departments in the Faculty of Health Sciences, such as the departments of Optometry, Occupational Therapy, Biokinetics, Physiotherapy, and Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as the Division of Public Health, which provided in-depth knowledge of the South African health-care system. They also participated in valuable discussions and activities with other departments, including the Department of Social Work. Visiting the community gardens with the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics was one of the highlights of the visit for Eliza. “These are sustainable changes happening from within the community,” she said.
Community-based learning, a model for future collaborations
The students admired the UFS’ integration of community-based learning into the generic interprofessional curriculum hosted within the SoHRS, which allows students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. They appreciate this approach and are interested in exploring how community-based learning can be implemented at UVA as a module and not as an extra-curricular. “Community-based learning is very important. It is impactful,” said Simone.
Engaging with people in the community removed his biases, Anand remarked. “The way I was used to thinking – putting people in boxes – was completely shattered.” Emphasising the importance of first-hand experience, he said, “I feel that I can no longer make assumptions until I go to the environment myself and see with my own eyes.”
In conclusion, Dr Van der Merwe said the interactions between the students in class were inspiring and stimulating, with discussions around health-care systems and inclusive health-care engagements opening not only the eyes of both UFS and UVA students, but lecturers as well. “I have noticed their continued dedication to the improvement of public health care not only within their own space, but within a global context. Their focus has shifted from thinking and considering the here and now to creating sustainable long-term engagements to serve both student and health-care populations.”