Indian Exchange Explores Simulation in Denmark
From 31 August to 4 September, a delegation of nursing educators from India visited Danish University Colleges as part of the international project Partnerships for Education of Health Professionals (PEP). During their stay, they met Danish colleagues from VIA University College, University College Copenhagen, and University College Absalon to exchange knowledge and experiences on nursing education. Their visit aimed to provide insight into Danish approaches to simulation-based learning, educational technology, and student-centred nursing education.
The visiting educators represented All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore and Chittoor, and Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), Dimapur. A total of 20 Danish and Indian educators participated in the exchange programme. The delegation explored how simulation laboratories are used to prepare nursing students for clinical practice through realistic patient scenarios, advanced simulation technologies, and person-centred care approaches.
Participants experienced how simulation-based education helps nursing students develop both clinical competencies and professional judgement e.g. by showcasing the pedagogical strategies that support the development of reflective, independent nurse practitioners capable of exercising clinical leadership in collaboration with patients and families.
The programme included workshops on simulation design, discussions on quality assurance and competency assessment, as well as a visit to a hospital ward to experience how reflection is integrated into clinical education. Together with sixth-semester nursing students, SimLab coordinators demonstrated a range of simulation methods, including technical simulation, full-scale simulation, and virtual reality. Social activities provided opportunities for cultural exchange and relationship-building.
The exchange highlighted the value of international partnerships. Collaboration within PEP not only strengthens nursing education in India and East Africa but also brings new knowledge and perspectives back to Denmark, inspiring the continued development of nursing education across all partner institutions. In other words, the partnership gives us a broader international perspective that helps us see new opportunities and approaches to nursing education in Denmark and provides us with a fresh perspective on our own practices.