In a move that reportedly will expand future academic and research opportunities for students, the Department of Physical Therapy at High Point, NC-based High Point University (HPU) has formed a partnership with the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, notes a news release from High Point University.
Under the new partnership, the release explains, the departments will collaborate on faculty and students exchange to expand teaching, research, and clinical opportunities.
The first research exchange will take place in August 2015, when one of the PhD students at University of Otago will visit HPU to collaborate with the Department of Physical Therapy faculty, according to the release. Plans are also under way for students in HPU’s physical therapy department to undertake clinical rotations in School of Physiotherapy Clinics at University of Otago.
The release explains that this partnership formalizes the strong relationship that already exists between the two departments.
Professors from University of Otago and HPU have visited each other’s universities for years, the release says, and one of HPU’s faculty members earned her doctorate from the University of Otago. As well, professors from both universities came together at a “Friends of Otago and High Point University” reception recently at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting.
“We are excited to be aligned with an international partner whose philosophy of integrating strong clinical practice, research, teaching, and learning fits perfectly with our own,” says Eric J. Hegedus, PT, DPT, MHSc, OCS, professor and founding chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at HPU, in the release.
“This partnership also provides future physical therapy students at HPU with opportunities for clinical experience and the chance to pursue a PhD internationally,” he continues.
[Source: High Point University]
