Student Collaboration Activity Series – 5 MCON, MAHE, Manipal & University of Liverpool

Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), in collaboration with the University of Liverpool, organized the fifth session of the Student Collaboration Activity Series on the topic “Public Health Initiatives” on 26 August 2026 through the MS Teams online platform. The collaborative session focused on the vital roles student nurses play in advancing public health initiatives in Manipal, India, and Liverpool, UK, providing an opportunity for students and faculty from both institutions to exchange experiences and perspectives on community and public health nursing.

The webinar commenced with an introduction by Dr. Toni Bewley, Dr. Radhika Pai, and Dr. Simon Nielson, who highlighted the important contribution of student nurses to public health efforts in India and the UK. The introductory session provided a foundation for comparing public health and community-based nursing experiences across the two settings.

The first student presentation was delivered by a student nurse from the University of Liverpool, who discussed public health initiatives from the UK perspective. The presentation provided participants with an opportunity to understand the role and experiences of student nurses in public health activities and healthcare delivery within the Liverpool setting.

This was followed by a session on “Health Promotion Activities: ‘Field Visits’ from Indian Perspectives” presented by Dr. Malathi G. Nayak, Head, Department of Community Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing. The session highlighted community-based health promotion activities and the learning opportunities available to nursing students through field visits. It provided an Indian perspective on the role of community health nursing in reaching individuals and families and promoting health at the community level.

Another student nurse from the University of Liverpool subsequently presented public health initiatives, further enriching the discussion with experiences from the UK. The presentations facilitated the exchange of perspectives between nursing students from Liverpool and Manipal and enabled participants to appreciate similarities and differences in community and public health practices across the two settings.

Following a short break, Ms. Kripa, Ms. Angel Sharon, and Ms. Aarushi Kaushal, fifth-semester B.Sc. Nursing students from Manipal College of Nursing presented a session on “Public Health Initiative – Optimizing Resources Available in Rural Community Settings.” The students shared their perspectives and experiences on the effective use of available resources in rural communities and on the role of nursing students in supporting community-based healthcare activities. A total of 44 participants attended this webinar.

An interactive question-and-answer session, coordinated by Ms. Aarushi Kaushal, followed the presentations. The session provided an opportunity for participants from both institutions to interact, clarify their questions, compare public health practices, and exchange ideas on community-based healthcare in India and the UK. The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by a student nurse from the University of Liverpool.

The webinar provided a valuable platform for international collaborative learning and enhanced students’ understanding of public health nursing from Indian and UK perspectives. Through discussions of public health initiatives, field visits, health promotion activities, and resource optimization in rural community settings, the session strengthened students’ appreciation of nurses' roles in promoting health and addressing community healthcare needs.

The webinar contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The activity promoted community health and health promotion, facilitated cross-cultural and international learning among nursing students, highlighted approaches to addressing healthcare needs in rural and community settings, and strengthened academic collaboration between the University of Liverpool and Manipal Academy of Higher Education.