Professor Ramadimetja Shirley Mooa, who heads the Department of Nursing Science, will be returning to the Western Sydney University as a visiting scholar from 08 September to 19 October 2024. This visit follows her initial engagement in 2019, where she spent two weeks collaborating with colleagues at the same institution. Her upcoming six-week visit marks a significant milestone in further strengthening the relationship between the two universities and advancing research in nursing and healthcare education.

Prof. Mooa’s visit will be filled with a variety of academic and professional activities that underscore her ongoing commitment to advancing research in healthcare education. Her visit will commence on 09 September 2024, with her participation and presentation at the Southern Knowledges Symposium: Education, Sustainability, and Social Change, a significant event that will bring together global experts to discuss crucial issues in education and social transformation. Following this, she will engage in meetings with international colleagues from the symposium on 12 September, fostering dialogues on potential research collaborations.

On 13 September, Prof. Mooa will take a tour of Sydney and its surroundings, gaining insights into the cultural and historical context of the region. Her itinerary includes a visit to United Way's The Hive on September 16, where she will explore initiatives aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable populations. This will be followed by a meeting on September 17 with Distinguished Professor Lynn Kemp to discuss the Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-visiting (MECSH) program, a critical initiative in maternal and child health.

Prof. Mooa will continue her academic engagements on September 18 with discussions with Professor Rebekah Grace, Director of TeEACH, focusing on strengthening ongoing research collaborations. On 19 September, she will participate in round table discussions during the TeEACH staff meeting, sharing her insights and contributing to strategic planning. Subsequent days will see her deepening these collaborations with continued meetings with Professor Grace on 20 and 23 September.

A significant part of her visit will involve meeting with TeEACH colleagues on September 24 to discuss the Volunteer Family Connect Program, in partnership with Karitane, an organisation dedicated to supporting families. On 25-26, September, Prof. Mooa will attend the Ingham Institute and South West Sydney Local Area Health District Conference, where she will engage with healthcare professionals and researchers on the latest advancements in health systems and public health.

In addition to these conferences and meetings, Prof. Mooa will visit various Western Sydney University campuses. On 27 September, she will explore the School of Nursing and Midwifery, followed by a visit to the School of Medicine on September 30 to discuss interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare education and research. On October 1, she will meet with TeEACH colleagues, including Professor Rebekah Grace, Associate Professor Chris Woodrow, and Dr. Nicole Peel, to discuss the HOPE Program of Work.

The Faculty of Health Sciences extends its best wishes to Prof. Mooa as she prepares to embark on this important journey, confident that her contributions will leave a lasting impact on the global stage.