JST Sakura Science Exchange Program Course A: Infectious Disease Control in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Seven graduate and undergraduate students and one accompanying faculty member will be invited from the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and Tepa Nursing and Midwifery Training College in the Republic of Ghana. The program will run for a total of seven days. On the fifth day of the program, a group work session will be conducted involving the eight invited participants, 65 second-year undergraduate nursing students (including international students), and five graduate students enrolled in the Degree Program in Nursing Science. During the group work, participants will discuss the current status, challenges, and potential solutions related to infectious disease control in Ghana and Japan. Prior to the group work session, the invited participants will engage in experiential learning on advanced infectious disease control practices in Japan within the field of nursing through lectures, practical exercises, and visits to medical facilities. Lectures and practical exercises on nursing education and research related to infectious disease control: Through lectures on the current status and challenges of infectious disease control in Japan and Ghana, participants will learn about the roles of nurses in infection prevention and control, as well as approaches to human resource development from an international perspective. In addition, practical exercises on hand hygiene, interruption of transmission routes, and infection management during disasters and pandemics will be conducted to deepen practical knowledge and skills. Visits to medical and public health service facilities: Participants will visit and observe facilities such as the University of Tsukuba Hospital, public health centers, and quarantine stations to learn about specific infectious disease control measures in Japan and their implementation in healthcare and welfare settings.