Otago Polytechnic signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Lance O’Sullivan’s Navilluso Medical Ltd this week, formalising a new education initiative between the two organisations.
O’Sullivan, who was Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year in 2014, developed iMOKO, an app that enables teachers at participating kohanga, day-care centres and schools to securely send health information about students to a digital health team working from a “cloud” system based in Auckland. They promptly respond with a diagnosis and, importantly, a treatment plan.
Yet in order to achieve the iMOKO vision, O’Sullivan needed a tailored learning and credentialing solution for the people involved at the coalface of children’s health.
Otago Polytechnic’s micro-credentialing initiative EduBits was the answer. EduBits validate the healthcare staff’s capabilities, developed through experience, ensuring iMOKO’s workforce has the necessary skills and knowledge.
O’Sullivan says his company is excited to be partnering with Otago Polytechnic around the micro-credentialing of a new wave of health workers.
“This will allow sustainable models of quality healthcare to be developed and spread,” he says.
“There is a potential undiscovered workforce out there. This method of qualifying enables people to pivot from what they are doing today to what they could be doing, say, next month.”
Otago Polytechnic chief executive Phil Ker says the relationship is proof of how micro-credentials can make an excellent contribution to education in New Zealand.
“This relationship with Lance and his organisation is just one example of how we can respond very quickly to training requirements – and we have done so.
Want more of the latest sector news, information, opinion and discussion straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter: https://healthcentral.nz/subscribe/
