Celebrating 15 Years of Partnership in Nursing Education

Muscat--On January 26, U.S. Ambassador and Mrs. Gary A. Grappo joined forces with Villanova University, a leader in American higher education, to mark fifteen years of partnership between the University’s College of Nursing and Oman’s Ministry of Health.  Since 1994, Villanova has hosted 160 Omani nursing students in a customized training program and for master’s degrees.  At a reception at the Ambassador’s Residence, Ambassador and Mrs. Grappo, along with Villanova President The Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A, greeted over 120 alumni, as well as H.E. Dr. Ali bin Muhammad Moosa, Minister of Health; H.E. Mohammed Hassan Ali, Under Secretary for Planning Affairs; and a number of leaders in Omani health care and health education.  Ambassador Grappo saluted Villanova for its pioneering work in creating U.S.-Oman educational exchanges, while in his remarks Fr. Donohue noted that through this nursing partnership, Oman likely has the largest number of Villanova alumni outside the United States.  The program is spearheaded by Dr. Louise Fitzpatrick, Dean of Villanova’s School of Nursing, who enthusiastically greeted her former students  and congratulated them on their success in helping enhance Omani health care.