Manipal, March 11, 2023:  Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), one of India's leading academic institutions, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in Canada to launch a dual BSc Nursing Degree Program. The program is a collaboration between the Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), MAHE, Manipal & UNB,  and has been approved by the Indian Nursing Council.

With the nursing industry in India snowballing and the demand for nursing professionals increasing, this dual program from MAHE and UNB will offer students an unparalleled opportunity to gain global exposure and experience. Students will have the chance to complete their internship at the University of New Brunswick. Upon completing the program, they will receive a BSc (N) degree from MAHE and a Bachelor of Nursing (BN) from the University of New Brunswick.

This unique dual degree program will allow graduates to be eligible for licensing in New Brunswick, Canada, and practice both in Canada and India. This collaboration is expected to change the course of nursing education in India by providing students with better knowledge exchange and training, with expanding their network and increasing their chances of employment.

"We believe that this dual degree program is a testament to our commitment to providing world-class education and a global outlook to our students at MCON, MAHE. We are excited to embark on this journey with the University of New Brunswick and look forward to creating more such opportunities for our students in near future”, said Dr. Karunakar Kotegar, Director of International Collaborations, MAHE.

Regarding the collaboration, Dr. Judith Angelitta Noronha, Dean of Manipal College of Nursing, said, "We at MAHE have been making strategic partnerships to take nursing education beyond domestic borders. This partnership extends our internationalization theme this year and will give students better knowledge exchange and training through the internship."

Lorna Butler, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at the University of New Brunswick, expressed her excitement about the partnership, stating that “pursuing a dual degree can be demanding and challenging. Still, the benefits are rewarding both professionally and personally. She added that by enrolling in the MAHE-UNB Dual Degree Program, students would not only increase their chances of employment but also expand their network”.

The University of New Brunswick and MCON will admit students to the BSc Nursing program as a separate cohort for joint training. This nursing education model will allow students from their home country to collaborate with students from the host country, where graduates will work as Registered Nurses. The partnership is expected to change the course of nursing education in India. This collaboration between MAHE and UNB is a significant step towards providing students with a global perspective and world-class education.