University of Human Environment Matsuyama School of Nursing

Report on the International Exchange Program between the Faculty of Nursing at the National Medical University of Mongolia and the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Human Environment, Matsuyama, for Fiscal Year 2025

This project was supported by the Japan Association of Private Nursing Universities’ FY2025 “Grant Program for New International Exchange Activities” and marked the launch of new educational and academic international exchanges with the Faculty of Nursing at the National Medical University of Mongolia.This year marks a milestone in Mongolia, as the first cohort of students in the Bachelor of Public Health Nursing program is set to graduate. The opportunity to share the realities of nursing education and public health nursing activities between Japan and Mongolia was of immense significance. In particular, the nursing education and practice systems in Japan, which are based on a person-centered philosophy, provided a new perspective for developing educational programs tailored to Mongolia’s social and cultural context and healthcare system.

As a result, first, in October 2025, we invited faculty members from the School of Nursing at the National Medical University of Mongolia to observe healthcare and nursing practices within Ehime Prefecture. Specifically, they observed maternal and child health programs at the Tobe Town Health Center; visited companies to learn about occupational health; toured medical facilities that have been promoting community-based home healthcare and home nursing since the early 2000s; and examined regional collaboration and advanced medical care systems at a university hospital.Through these visits, the faculty gained a deeper understanding of public health nurses’ community-based practices—which comprehensively address everything from primary prevention to daily living support—as well as the continuous support systems enabled by multidisciplinary collaboration. In particular, the practice in which public health nurses take the lead in health assessments and health guidance, and provide ongoing support based on trusting relationships with families, was highly praised.Furthermore, the mutual respect between faculty and students, as well as the systematically organized educational environment, were confirmed, and the strength of the organic integration of education and practice in Japanese nursing education was shared.

Second, in October 2025, we held an international symposium titled “The Current State of Public Health Nurse and Public Health Nursing Education in Japan and Mongolia,” which featured lively discussions among faculty, students, and local stakeholders.Through a comparison of maternal and child health data and educational systems in both countries, the current status and challenges of the healthcare system and nursing education in Mongolia were clarified, while also providing an opportunity to reaffirm the strengths of Japan’s educational system. Furthermore, we were able to establish a shared understanding regarding the need to adapt and develop educational approaches tailored to the actual conditions in Mongolia.

Third, in January 2026, a foundation was established for ongoing exchange and collaboration between faculty members at both universities. The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and held concrete discussions regarding the potential for improving educational content and expanding into joint research in the future. As a result, a framework for medium- to long-term international collaboration has been established, moving beyond one-off exchanges.

Looking ahead, one key area of focus is the complementary development of educational curricula. The insights gained through this exchange are already beginning to be incorporated into public health nursing education in Mongolia, leading to improvements in education tailored to local conditions. Furthermore, by continuing mutual visits between faculty and students as well as online exchanges, we anticipate the establishment of a two-way educational exchange model and an improvement in educational quality, while also paving the way for joint research and student exchanges.

Building on the trust established through this project, we aim to create a sustainable framework for international collaboration that integrates education, research, and practice, with the expectation that this will contribute to the advancement of nursing in both countries.