Ten AHU Students Complete a Study Abroad Programme in Health Sciences at the University of Almería, Spain
Almería (Spain) & Mosul (Nineveh), Iraq -- 24 July 2026 - Under the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between Al-Hadba University and the University of Almería, a delegation of ten (10) students from Al-Hadba University successfully completed a tailor-made Study Abroad Programme in Health Sciences, hosted by the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Almería from 13 to 24 July 2026. The programme comprised 60 hours of structured student workload, equivalent to 10 ECTS credits, combining intensive academic instruction, clinical simulation and observational hospital placements.
🌐 A Warm Welcome at the Faculty of Health Sciences
The programme opened on Monday, 13 July 2026 in the Pepa Márquez Room with a Welcome Ceremony addressed by Dr. José Carlos Redondo, Vice-Rector for International Relations; Dr. Pablo Roman, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences; and Dr. Lola Rueda, Vice-Dean for Communication, Strategic Planning, Teaching Innovation and International Affairs. This was followed by a guided Faculty Tour led by Dr. Diana Cardona, Vice-Dean of Students and Society, and Dr. Lola Rueda, introducing the students to the Faculty's classrooms, seminars and simulation laboratories.
🏅 Commemorative Plaques of Al-Hadba University
During the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Salah I. Yahya, Vice President for Scientific Affairs at Al-Hadba University, presented commemorative plaques of Al-Hadba University to the hosting leadership of the University of Almería, in recognition of their support for the partnership and their hospitality toward the visiting delegation:
- Dr. José Carlos Redondo, Vice-Rector for International Relations at the University of Almería -- for his role in establishing and advancing the cooperation between the two universities and for signing the Memorandum of Cooperation on behalf of the University of Almería.
- Dr. Pablo Roman, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences -- for hosting the programme within his Faculty and for placing its academic and clinical resources at the students' disposal.
- Dr. Lola Rueda, Vice-Dean for Communication, Strategic Planning, Teaching Innovation and International Affairs -- for designing and coordinating the tailor-made programme and for her continuous follow-up throughout its two weeks.
The ceremony was followed by a guided Faculty Tour led by Dr. Diana Cardona, Vice-Dean of Students and Society, together with Dr. Lola Rueda, introducing the students to the Faculty's classrooms, seminar rooms and simulation laboratories.
🎓 Week One: Intensive Academic and Clinical Training
The first week delivered a dense academic schedule taught by specialist faculty of the University of Almería:
📅 Monday, 13 July -- Emergency and Urgent Care System Structure and Triage, Dr. María del Carmen Rodríguez.
📅 Tuesday, 14 July -- Emergency Nursing Care, Dr. Verónica Márquez (Classroom 4 and Laboratories 0.41 and 0.42).
📅 Wednesday, 15 July -- Foundations of Nursing, Dr. María del Mar Torres (Classroom 4 and Laboratories 0.31 and 0.43).
📅 Thursday, 16 July -- Neonatal and Pediatric CPR: Updates and Clinical Algorithms, Dr. Isabel Fernández; followed by "Delivery to Adaptation": a Neonatal Care Simulation Workshop with Dr. Tiago Jerónimo Dos Santos and Dr. Paola Britos.
📅 Friday, 17 July -- Psychology and Patient Care, Dr. Jenna Strizzi; and Health and Well-Being in Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr. María Dolores Roldán.
🏥 Week Two: Clinical Training and Hospital Site Visits
The second week moved the students from the classroom into the Spanish healthcare system itself:
✅ Monday, 20 July: "From Use to Abuse: Where is the Line?" -- Dr. Bruno Nievas and Dr. David Lozano.
✅ Tuesday, 21 July: Clinical visit to Torrecárdenas University Hospital, Almería.
✅ Wednesday, 22 July: Clinical visit to Poniente University Hospital, El Ejido.
✅ Thursday, 23 July: Clinical visit to the Almería Health District.
✅ Friday, 24 July: Clinical visit to Vithas Almería Hospital.
In line with the Faculty's protocol, all hospital and primary care visits were strictly observational; students did not take part in clinical procedures or direct patient care, and the Faculty provided a white lab coat for use throughout the clinical placements.
🏛️ Cultural Immersion
On Saturday, 18 July, the delegation travelled to Granada for a full-day visit to the Alhambra, exploring the Andalusian heritage that links Spain to the wider Arab and Islamic world -- an experience that deepened the students' understanding of Spanish culture, history and society alongside their academic training.
🤝 Leadership and Representation
- Prof. Dr. Salah I. Yahya, Vice President for Scientific Affairs at Al-Hadba University, heading the visiting delegation.
- Dr. José Carlos Redondo, Vice-Rector for International Relations at the University of Almería.
- Dr. Pablo Roman, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Almería.
- Dr. Lola Rueda, Vice-Dean for Communication, Strategic Planning, Teaching Innovation and International Affairs.
- Dr. Diana Cardona, Vice-Dean of Students and Society.
📜 Academic Recognition
Upon successful completion of the programme, each participating student was awarded a Certificate of Achievement together with a Transcript of Records issued by the University of Almería, documenting 60 hours of structured student workload and 10 ECTS credits. Al-Hadba University will recognize this achievement within its own academic records in accordance with the ECTS framework adopted under the Bologna Process.
🚀 Strengthening Academic and Cultural Bridges
This programme is the first practical outcome of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the two universities, translating a signed framework into a lived academic experience within weeks. Placing Iraqi students inside European lecture halls, simulation laboratories and hospital wards -- and returning them with internationally recognized ECTS credits -- represents a tangible step toward internationalizing higher education in Nineveh.
👉 A Promising Partnership:
Al-Hadba University extends its sincere appreciation to the University of Almería, to the Faculty of Health Sciences, and to the lecturers, clinicians and coordinators whose generosity made this programme possible. Further cohorts and expanded programmes are envisaged under the Memorandum of Cooperation.
👉 Stay Connected:
For more updates on Al-Hadba University's initiatives, visit our website or follow us on social media.
📸 More Coverage:
To view more photos and additional coverage of this programme, 👉Click here.
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