Tha e na thoileachas do dh’Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean (UHI) ainmeachadh gum bi an t-Ollamh Melaine Coward, prìomh neach ann am banaltrachd, ceannardas cùram slàinte agus foghlam, na h-aoigh aig cuirm ceumnachaidh banaltrach agus optomatrachd na bliadhna-sa.
Bidh òraid an Àrd-Ollamh Coward a’ meòrachadh air an t-slighe-beatha bhrosnachail aice, bhon a thòisich i mar bhanaltram gu na dreuchdan buadhach aice ann am foghlam cùram slàinte agus leasachadh poileasaidh.
Tha dùil gum bi timcheall air 600 neach an làthair aig an tachartas ann an Eden Court ann an Inbhir Nis Diardaoin 14 Samhain, gus euchdan còrr is 130 oileanach banaltrachd agus optomatrachd bho àrainn UHI ann an Inbhir Nis is Steòrnabhagh a chomharrachadh.
Tha cuirm na bliadhna-sa gu h-àraidh sònraichte, leis gu bheil e a’ gabhail a-steach a’ chiad chlas ceumnachaidh den phrògram BSc (le Urram) Optomatrachd – a’ chiad chùrsa ùr de a sheòrsa ann an Alba ann am faisg air 50 bliadhna.
Tha an t-Àrd-Ollamh Coward air mòran a chur gu mòr ri banaltrachd, gu sònraichte ann an eòlas-aillse agus foghlam cùram slàinte.
Thòisich i na cùrsa-beatha mar bhanaltram coitcheann clàraichte aig Ospadal Colaiste an Rìgh ann an Lunnainn, a’ toirt cùram do dh’euslaintich le eas-òrdughan fala iom-fhillte, agus an dèidh sin speisealaichte ann an cùram euslaintich ro-meanapàis agus aillse broillich fhireannach.
Às deidh iomadh dreuchd buadhach, chaidh i a-steach do dh’Oilthigh Surrey, far an do threòraich i Sgoil nan Saidheansan Slàinte gu prìomh rangachadh nàiseanta ann am banaltrachd, banas-glùine, agus saidheansan para-meidigeach.
An-dràsta, mar Chomhairliche Sònraichte airson Foghlam agus Dearbhadh Càileachd leis a’ Chomhairle Banaltrachd is Banas-glùine, tha i a’ leantainn oirre a’ cumadh foghlam cùram slàinte air feadh na RA.
Tha an obair aice ann an cleachdadh meòrachail aithnichte gu h-eadar-nàiseanta, agus bidh i gu tric na cathraiche air co-labhairtean nàiseanta, a’ cur ri poileasaidh cùram slàinte, agus a’ toirt comhairle do stiùirichean thar roinnean.
Na dreuchd mar Àrd-Ollamh Tadhail aig UHI, tha i a’ toirt seallaidhean luachmhor air na caochlaidhean roinneil ann am foghlam banaltrachd, a tha buannachdail do dh’oileanaich agus luchd-obrach UHI.
Thug an t-Ollamh Coward iomradh air an tachartas a tha ri thighinn, ag ràdh:
“Bidh e na fhìor urram a bhith a’ bruidhinn aig ceumnachadh banaltrachd agus optomatrachd UHI agus a bhith a’ comharrachadh euchdan a h-uile neach.
“Tha turas dùbhlanach air a bhith aig an fheadhainn a tha a’ ceumnachadh, agus tha mi airson gabhail ri an dìchill agus an obair chruaidh, a bharrachd air a bhith a’ soilleireachadh cho cudromach ’s a tha leasachadh proifeiseanta leantainneach ann an cùram slàinte.”
Thuirt Vicki Nairn, Prionnsapal agus Iar-Sheansalair UHI:
“’S e latha sònraichte a th’ ann an ceumnachadh dha na h-oileanaich againn, an caraidean is an teaghlach, agus dhuinn uile aig UHI.
“Tha sinn air leth taingeil don Ollamh Coward airson gabhail ris a’ chuireadh againn a beachdan agus a h-eòlasan a cho-roinn.
“Tha mi cinnteach gum brosnaich a briathran ar luchd-ceumnachaidh, a tha a-nis deiseil airson cur ri cùram slàinte air feadh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean agus nas fhaide air falbh.”
Renowned Healthcare Leader to Address UHI Nursing and Optometry Graduates
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is delighted to announce that Professor Melaine Coward, a leading figure in nursing, healthcare leadership and education, will be the guest speaker at this year’s nursing and optometry graduation ceremony.
Professor Coward’s address will reflect on her inspiring career journey, from her beginnings as a nurse to her influential roles in healthcare education and policy development.
Around 600 people are expected to attend the event at Eden Court in Inverness on Thursday 14 November, to celebrate the achievements of over 130 nursing and optometry students from UHI’s Inverness and Stornoway campuses.
This year’s ceremony is particularly notable, as it includes the first graduating class of the BSc (Hons) Optometry programme — the first new course of its kind in Scotland in nearly 50 years.
Professor Coward has made numerous significant contributions to nursing, particularly in oncology and healthcare education.
She began her career as a registered general nurse at King’s College Hospital in London, caring for patients with complex blood disorders, and later specialised in the care of pre-menopausal and male breast cancer patients.
After many influential roles, she joined the University of Surrey, where she guided the School of Health Sciences to top national rankings in nursing, midwifery, and paramedic sciences.
Currently, as Specialist Advisor for Education and Quality Assurance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, she continues to shape healthcare education across the UK.
Her work in reflective practice is internationally recognised, and she frequently chairs national conferences, contributes to healthcare policy, and advises leaders across sectors.
In her role as a Visiting Professor at UHI, she brings valuable insights into the regional variations in nurse education, benefiting both UHI students and staff alike.
Professor Coward commented on the upcoming event, saying:
“It will be a genuine honour to speak at the UHI nursing and optometry graduation and to celebrate everyone’s achievements.
“Those graduating have faced a challenging journey, and I want to acknowledge their dedication and hard work, as well as highlight the importance of ongoing professional development in healthcare.”
Vicki Nairn, UHI Principal and Vice-Chancellor, added:
“Graduation is a very special day for our students, their friends and family, and all of us at UHI.
“We are extremely grateful to Professor Coward for accepting our invitation to share her insights and experiences.
“I am confident that her words will inspire our graduates, who are now set to contribute to healthcare throughout the Highlands and Islands and beyond.”
