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This week, three professors from Niigata University in Japan visited campus to participate in a knowledge exchange, meeting with Health Sciences faculty to discuss midwifery education and explore the benefits of problem-based learning (PBL).

 

Kayoko Sekijima, Mieko Sadakata, and Mayumi Nishikata – all professors from Niigata’s Graduate School of Heath Sciences – spent time with faculty, visited the simulation centre at the Mohawk-McMaster Institute for Applied Health Sciences Centre for Professional Practice (CPP), and toured the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the McMaster University Medical Centre (MUMC), 

 

Pointing out the key differences in teaching methodologies, Sadakata notes that, “In Japan, learning is often didactic and teacher-centred, so it has been very interesting for us to see problem-based learning applied to midwifery education.” Since PBL was first introduced in Japan in 1990, many institutions have adopted the approach; however, Sadakata points out that learning exchanges like this are critical to understanding how it can be applied most effectively to medical training. 

 

Each year, McMaster’s Global Health Office welcomes delegations from Niigata in an effort to strengthen ties, share innovations in learning practices, and look at opportunities to work together.