Barbados Nurses Association ink letter of cooperation agreement with Global Campus

The University of the West Indies, Global Campus, Barbados, and the Barbados Nurses Association signed a letter of agreement on February 13, 2025 which formalised various areas of mutual cooperation and collaboration between the two organisations.

The Barbados Nurses Association, formerly the Barbados Registered Nurses Association

(BRNA) was founded in July 1936, and was subsequently incorporated by an Act of Parliament on February 15, 1943.

A release issued following the signing states that among the various objectives and provisions of the BNA is to plan and execute programmes for the benefit of its members.

In this regard, the UWI GC and the BNA wish to create a mutually beneficial partnership that will strengthen the mission of the UWI GC and the BNA respectively. More specifically, in terms of collaboration, The UWI Global Campus and the BNA will:

1. Collaborate in the planning, development of delivery of relevant courses for the professional development of nurses;

2. Participate through stakeholder engagement and consultation in the conceptualisation, review and development of existing or new course development;

3. Foster joint certification of programmes and courses, which will provide the opportunity for joint certification on specific training that is jointly developed, delivered

and successfully completed by participants;

4. Facilitate and deliver relevant training for BNA members and nurses in pertinent courses and programmes in the UWI GC’s current CPE training catalogue through discounted rates tuition fees for selected short professional development courses and

workshops;

5. Utilise experienced and qualified nursing professionals to deliver in selected programmes and courses which are offered by the UWI GC.

This letter of agreement will be in effect for one year, from January 2025 in the first instance, and is renewable after a review and evaluation.

Head of Site of The UWI Global Campus Barbados, Ryan Byer said, among other things, that this strategic partnership builds and concretises on the numerous discussions and stakeholder engagement between the two organisations. It was therefore the next logical step to formalise the relationship.

President of the Barbados Nurses Association, Dr Fay Parris, stated that this letter of agreement marks a significant milestone for the Association, and the BNA is excited about the opportunities this collaboration with The UWI Global Campus will provide for its members.

Some of the main provisions of this letter of agreement will be immediately operationalised.