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The International University of Cuanza (UNIC) held the first thesis defenses for the Faculty of Health Sciences, a moment that marks a historic milestone in the institution’s growth and consolidation within Angola’s higher education system.

Dr. Thomas Prola, representing the European Union-funded CLINICALSIM project, presented new research at the EDUTRENDS Conference demonstrating how clinical simulation is strengthening undergraduate nursing education in Angola. The presentation showcased the first evidence of the project’s impact at José Eduardo dos Santos University and the International University of Cuanza, where simulation-based learning has improved students’ educational experiences and clinical competencies.

When it comes to a profession like nursing, confidence and security are key to quality performance and excellent health care. Obtaining the skills required to become a nurse reaches beyond studying textbooks. At the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Anny María Hernández Cuello has made clinical simulation a crucial part of nursing education in Angola providing students the ability to practice before facing real patients.. 

Hernández Cuello, a physician trained in Cuba, is currently working to help students in Angola through CLINICALSIM, a project designed to train nurses through realistic nursing scenarios. Implementing this program in Angola has been especially significant considering that traditionally, nursing education has been more focused on theory rather than applicable skills. According to Dr. Hernández Cuello “…many students had their first contact with real-life situations directly in hospitals during their residency, which sometimes led to a lack of familiarity and, of course, insecurity, not only on the part of our students but also on the part of patients, who noticed the lack of practice and experience.” This gap is what led to the creation of the CLINICALSIM’s program. 

The program focuses on giving students scenarios they will experience once employed as a registered nurse after graduation. Hernández Cuello explains the benefits of CLINICALSIM saying “Through simulation, students develop crucial skills such as decision making in real life situations, teamwork, communication with patients, and problem solving under pressure,” Situations like these prepare students and increase both their confidence and competence. Besides just improving technical skills, Hernández Cuella aims to have students learn how to become more human healthcare professionals by placing importance on the responsibility involved in caring for people´s lives. 

Thanks to CLINICALSIM, students are safe to experience nursing scenarios without risking patients’ health. They’re reaching beyond theory into work they will be performing in their future profession. This type of learning has been more successful. 

Dr. Hernández Cuello describes the progress she sees in students, “little by little, through simulation, they gain confidence, security, and clinical judgment. For me, one of the most valuable moments is when students begin to make decisions on their own, communicate better as a team, and face simulated clinical situations with greater confidence.” The results have been noticeable as students transform from timid students to capable and trustworthy nurses.

She also describes what the experience has been like for her and how rewarding the process has been, “ Seeing how they progress… and how they begin to believe in their own abilities truly reaffirms my commitment to what I do and why I love teaching nursing and healthcare in general.”

CLINICALSIM has proven to be an effective and life changing program through the practical skills it offers. By improving nurses abilities, it in turn improves health care in Angola.

On June 29th at 15:00 (Lisbon), a webinar titled “Good Practices in Infection Prevention and Control” will be held by nurse Lina Rodrigues in the framework of  the ClinicalSim project. It will be held in Portuguese. 

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the International University of Cuanza (UNIC) held a series of scientific presentations, practical demonstrations, and discussion forums focused on pedagogical innovation, clinical simulation, and community health as part of the 2nd Scientific Conference marking the institution’s 6th anniversary.

On May 13, the Polytechnic Institute of José Eduardo dos Santos University (IP-UJES) held Clinical Simulation classes at the Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing Teaching Laboratory on the topics: Prenatal Care and Clinical Stages of Labor, as part of our project, under the guidance of Professor Marlene Amorim.

The International University of Cuanza (UNIC), through its Faculty of Health Sciences, organized a wide-ranging program of academic and community activities on May 9, 11, and 12 to mark International Nurses Day, bringing together students, faculty, healthcare professionals, and community members in initiatives focused on health promotion, practical training, and social responsibility.

A recent webinar hosted under the ClinicalSIM project highlighted how service-learning is being used to strengthen nursing education and improve community health outcomes in Angola. The one-hour session brought together project leaders and educators to present a model that combines simulation-based training with real-world community engagement. The initiative, funded by the European Union and running from 2023 to October 2026, focuses on building capacity in health science faculties, particularly in nursing.

The International University of Cuanza (UNIC) held a nutrition fair as part of the celebrations for National Nutritionist Day. The initiative, organized by the Human Nutrition and Dietetics program in the School of Health Sciences, brought together approximately 200 participants on the institution’s campus, in an atmosphere marked by knowledge, interaction, and strong community engagement.

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the International University of Cuanza (UNIC) organized a joint activity with the José Eduardo dos Santos University (UJES) and the Angolan Nurses Association (ORDENFA), marking an important step in strengthening academic and scientific cooperation in the country.