Health Careers International (HCI), an Australia-based provider of healthcare education, will set up its learning hub in Kochi.

It will start operations from February 2016, according to Bijo Kunnumpurath, founder and CEO, HCI.

It will offer a world-class learning environment for nurses, including classrooms, simulation labs, and an interactive learning centre.

HCI plans to set up 50 learning hubs across India by 2020. They will open the door for nurses to a worldwide network of education and career opportunities.

The company plans to team up with leading universities and healthcare providers here and abroad.

This will help nurses work towards a post graduate qualification, and advance their careers in leading hospitals in Australia, Middle East and other countries.

“The demand for post-graduate qualified nurses is strong around the world. HCI’s Australian post-graduate qualifications will be available for study in India or Australia,” said Kunnumpurath.

Twinning programmes will offer nurses the opportunity to study a postgraduate certificate or diploma via blended delivery over one or two-years while they continue to work in India.

They may complete their studies over a period of six months in Australia with clinical placements and experience in Australian hospitals. Full-time study may also be undertaken in Australia.

Nurses may then be eligible to either apply for registration to work in Australia by completing a bridge programme or go on and work in other countries.

HCI learning hubs will also offer professional development and short-courses based on the Australian curriculum.

It will help raise the skills of Indian nurses as they continue to develop their careers, Kunnumpurath said.

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