A group of UNE students from the School of Science and Technology have just returned from a 10-day study tour of Sri Lanka.

The group of seven students (two Pharmacy and five Biomedical Science), accompanied by two academic staff from the School, spent their time visiting a variety of hospitals, pharmacies, health clinics and research institutions in and around Colombo.

Hosted by the International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS) in Sri Lanka, and funded under the Australian Governments New Colombo Plan, the study tour aimed to increase awareness and understanding of the issues faced by health systems in developing countries, allowing for comparison and contrast with the health system in Australia. The tour also helped to strengthen educational and collaborative research ties between UNE and IIHS.

One highlight of the tour for all the students was the opportunity to visit an Ayurveda eye clinic in Colombo. Ayurveda is a traditional form of plant-based alternative medicine, which is widely practised in Sri Lanka. UNE students participated in preparing some of the treatments, made by grinding a variety of roots, leaves, seeds and bark, and were shown how to apply these treatments to patients. They were also able to speak to some of the patients about the benefits they received from these treatments, and participated in a student research project alongside students from IIHS.

Other highlights for the students were visits to the Medical Research Institute in Colombo, where they learnt about vaccine control and testing, and observed first-hand breeding programs for the study of many insect vectors, such as the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is a carrier for dengue, yellow fever, and the Zika virus. Students in the Pharmacy program valued visits to hospital dispensaries and supply centres, and were intrigued by the differing role of the Pharmacist in Sri Lanka, compared to the role played by a Pharmacist in the Australian health system.

The student feedback surrounding the tour has been overwhelmingly positive.

Melissa Fanning (2^nd year Biomedical Science student) was extremely grateful to have the opportunity to be involved in such an amazing educational experience, saying “when I applied for a university degree at UNE it NEVER crossed my mind that I would be involved in such an incredible learning adventure”.

According to Natasha Walther (2^nd year Biomedical Science student) the tour has inspired her to “learn more about our own health systems here in Australia, and to maintain the international relationships developed in Sri Lanka”.

This is the second such tour of Sri Lanka funded under the New Colombo Plan, and hosted by IIHS.

“We can’t thank enough the students and staff of IIHS for their warm hospitality, and the wonderful educational experience provided,” Dr Mary McMillan, Lecturer in Biomedical Science, said.