In September and October 2017, The Institute for Community Health Research (ICHR) - Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy (HueUMP) – has hosted the internship program for 10 health science undergraduate students, in which a group of eight majoring in Public Health and two majoring in Community Nutrition, from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia.

This important international learning experience for QUT students was supported by the Australia Government's New Colombo Plan program.

Prof. Michael Dunne – Co-Director of the ICHR, and QUT students

visited the Hospital of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Within the working frame of the Public Health students: The main objectives of the internship this time is to learn about the maternal health and children’s health including achievements, difficulties and challenges of primary health care in Vietnam. In order to achieve these objectives, the QUT students has participated in many activities during the period from Sep 18th to Oct 6th. QUT students were introduced to Faculty of Public Health, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Paediatrics, the Family Medical Center, the Center of Information and Library, ... to learn about the operation of University and the Hospital of Hue UMP. For better understanding of the health care systems and primary health care program in Vietnam, they were arranged to visit, observe and conduct the in-depth interview with the health staff at the Center for Reproductive Health Care and the Women's Union of Thua Thien Hue Province, Thuy Van and Thuan Hoa commune health centres,  and HIPE non-governmental organizations. Further in-depth information were collected via the focus group discussions with students and staff who are currently studying and working at the Hue UMP. QUT students also attended the Celebration Ceremony of the new academic year and other cultural exchanges program with the students of Faculty of Public Health – Hue UMP.

This program has contributed to strengthen the international cooperation between Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy with Queensland University of Technology. Thereby, the Institute for Community Health Research and the Faculty of Public Health also had the opportunity to share with the QUT internships on organizational models, importance, as well as the professional activities of the Institute and the Faculty in the protection and promotion of public health in Vietnam, and Thua Thien Hue Province in particular.

QUT students visited and studied at Thuy Van Commune Health Center

Prof. Michael Dunne attended a group discussion between Vietnam and QUT students

QUT students visited and studied at the Center for Reproductive Health Care of Thua Thien Hue Provonce

Assoc Prof. Vo Van Thang - Director of the ICHR attended the final report of QUT students

“Overall this experience has provided a once in a life time opportunity for us to develop a professional practice in an international context. We’d like to formally thank HUMP, the ICHR and the staff who have mentored us over the last three weeks, the students from Public Health and Preventative Medicine who kindly showed us around Hue and shared their own knowledge with us.”

- QUT students shared at the report

Also within the framework of cooperation with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) - Australia, from 11 to 29 September 2017, the ICHR collaborated with Department of Nutrition - Food Safety, Faculty of Public Health at HueUMP to organize two undergraduate students majoring in Community Nutrition to practice in Hue. This is an annual activity and a learning opportunity not only for QUT students but also for Vietnamese students.

During this time, the two QUT students had some activities such as interviewing the heads of the commune health centers about nutrition activities conducted at commune level; interviewed the school principal about the child's school meal; observed the food selling services at the gate of primary schools and junior high school; visited stores of selling organic products in Hue; observed the vaccination for children in the expanded immunization program (EPI), where the students could interview the mothers about infant feeding practices and pregnant women about diet during pregnancy. From these activities, QUT students had the opportunity to learn the similarities and differences of the nutritional status among Vietnamese cultural context. Two students also had the opportunity to interview patients who were treated at the hospital of HUMP about their eating habits, nutritional knowledge relating to chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension. According to the QUT students, it was the very first time meeting with the patients hence they was very impressed with some of the patient's practices.

Another useful and interesting activity for students of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at HUMP was a seminar on nutrition by Professor Danielle Gallegos and Dr. Toby Pavey from Queensland University of Technology, collaborated with the staff of the Department of Nutrition - Food Safety and the ICHR to host. This was an opportunity for students to learn about other aspects of nutrition such as nutrition and aging, physical activity and aging.. which was not included in the official learning curriculum. In addition, this was chances for young staff of the Department to expand knowledge and improve English skill.

It is expected that this activity will continue to be maintained annually.