By: Erik Pedersen, Content Strategy Director

BALTIMORE – Representatives from Notre Dame of Maryland University’s School of Nursing traveled across the world this fall for an extended trip to Thailand to promote a continuing partnership with the Praboromarajchanok Institute (PBRI).

Notre Dame and PBRI, which includes over 30 nursing colleges across Thailand, formally established a long-term collaborative partnership in summer 2023 following a celebratory agreement signing in Bangkok. Dr. Kathleen Wisser, dean of the School of Nursing, spent several days meeting with representatives from the Institute, including PBRI president Dr. Vichai Tienthavorn and Dr. Chaweewan Sridawruang, director of the Boromarajonani College of Nursing Khon Kaen (BCNKK).

“It was a pleasure to finally meet in person with Dr. Tienthavorn, Dr. Sridawruang, and other faculty representatives at PBRI,” said Dr. Wisser. “This trip provided an opportunity for NDMU and PBRI to develop several new initiatives in the year ahead, including faculty and student exchange programs, educational opportunities, and continuing faculty research collaboration.”

Dr. Wisser and Dr. Tina Bloom, associate professor and endowed chair, also attended the 25th annual Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International (NNVAWI) Conference during their time overseas. Dr. Bloom and Dr. Tipparat Udmuangpia, a faculty member at BCNKK, served as co-chairs of the planning committee for the conference, which took place from November 12-15 in Thailand’s Phuket province.

Notre Dame works extensively with BCNKK, where Dr. Bloom continues to serve as a research advisor, as part of its overall collaborative agreement in Thailand, and that relationship will continue to expand in 2025.

Dr. Wisser hopes to provide an opportunity for new nurse educators at BCNKK to virtually attend courses in the School of Nursing’s Nurse Educator Post-MSN Certificate Program. BCNKK, meanwhile, aims to sponsor clinical rotation opportunities in Khon Kaen for NDMU nurse practitioner master’s students. The two schools also discussed sharing results of a caring efficacy survey distributed to students and faculty. The Caring Efficacy Scale is a measurement tool used to assess nurses’ self-efficacy in establishing caring relationships with patients.

“This partnership is such a wonderful match for us,” Dr. Wisser said. “BCNKK truly is a mirror organization in terms of shared values and a shared desire to develop future nursing leaders among both students and faculty at our two institutions.”

Dr. Wisser speaking with students at BCNKK.

Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.