The “Forum of University Nursing Deans of South Africa” was established to be a unified platform to pursue excellence in nursing scholarship at Universities in South Africa. The aim of FUNDISA is to promote University nursing practice, research and education in collaboration with other stakeholders.
In so doing, FUNDISA aims to strengthen University education for nurses in South Africa and to represent the collective concerns of University Schools of Nursing at national and international level, in order to further the provision of quality health care.
The specific objectives of FUNDISA are to:
Represent the interests and standpoints of University nursing education at various forums;
Provide innovative/transformative leadership in developing scholarship and the building of capacity amongst nursing scholars;
Respond to contemporary issues (education, research, practice) impacting on nursing education, health care and research priorities, and create a space for equitable representation and collaboration in dealing with such issues.
The Heads of all 22 University Schools of Nursing are currently members of FUNDISA. They meet at least four times a year, and work on different projects through the portfolios of Education, Research, Practice and Advocacy. FUNDISA works closely with national partners such as the Nursing Education Association, College Principals Association and the SA Nursing Council. They also work with international partners, such as the Global Alliance for Leadership in Nursing Education and Science (GANES).
