IIHS Hosts Deakin Week Sri Lanka 2025 to Strengthen Global Nursing Education and Workforce Readiness

The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS) marked a significant moment in its academic calendar by hosting Deakin Week Sri Lanka 2025 at the IIHS Multiversity, in collaboration with Deakin University, Australia. The event featured a vital Seminar and Panel Discussion, bringing together students, educators, and industry experts for an engaging session focused on equipping future nurses with the skills and resilience needed to meet evolving global healthcare demands.

The session, titled “Work-Ready, Resilient Nurses: Shaping the Future of Healthcare, Fast,” focused on the critical need for resilient, adaptable, and work-ready nurses in an era of rapid healthcare transformation.

The discussion explored how nursing education and practice must evolve to meet the demands of fast-paced, technology-driven healthcare systems. Key areas of focus included skill development, emotional resilience, industry collaboration, and academic innovation, all aimed at ensuring the next generation of nurses is fully prepared to lead and adapt in challenging environments.

The seminar featured prominent speakers and a comprehensive panel discussion, moderated by Prof. Sarath Samarage.

• Prof. Sarath Samarage, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Health Policy and Dean of the Faculty of Postgraduate Studies at IIHS, provided the opening remarks and summarized the session.
• Ms. Ashoka Abeynayake, Former Director Nursing at the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, spoke on State Sector Nursing Education in Sri Lanka.
• A/Prof Stéphane Bouchoucha, Associate Head of School, International, at Deakin University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, presented on Australian Nursing Training.
• Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO and Co-Founder of IIHS, discussed Private Sector Nursing Education in Sri Lanka.

The event concluded with an Open Q&A Session with the audience, allowing nursing professionals, academics, and students to engage directly with the experts.

Deakin Week Sri Lanka 2025 facilitated crucial knowledge sharing between IIHS and Deakin University, strengthening a long-standing partnership committed to advancing nursing education, fostering leadership, and creating international pathways for Sri Lankan students.

The event served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and inspiration—underscoring IIHS’s ongoing efforts to prepare the next generation of healthcare leaders for a rapidly changing world.