Collaboration

On October 29, 2026, Duy Tan University (DTU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Suganuma Group JSC and social & medical corporation Shouwakai (Japan). At the ceremony, the first training course on “Healthcare for patients requiring rehabilitation” was also started. The ceremony represents a new step in the development in DTU’s international cooperation for the improvement of Nursing training, the strengthening of practical skills among students, and providing them with opportunities to learn about Japan’s advanced approaches to patient care and rehabilitation.

Expanding international cooperation to train a workforce for healthcare 

Headquartered in Fukuyama, Hiroshima prefecture, Japan, the social & medical corporation Shouwakai operates in specialized healthcare services, emergency medicine, rehabilitation, and healthcare for the elderly. Ota Memorial Hospital is one of its prominent medical facilities, where specialized medical services are provided in neurology, stroke treatment, and rehabilitation. With its experience in patient care and support, Shouwakai brings valuable practical knowledge and expertise to healthcare training at DTU.

Signing ceremony for the MoU between DTU, Suganuma Group, and Shouwakai

At the ceremony, representatives of DTU, Suganuma Group, and Shouwakai signed an MoU in which they agree to collaborate on healthcare training for patients requiring rehabilitation. The program will combine specialized knowledge with practical skills based on Japanese experience. Under the agreement, DTU will organize the training, provide facilities, manage classes, and support students. Suganuma Group will serve as the liaison and program coordinator, supporting collaboration between the university and its Japanese partners. Meanwhile, Shouwakai will develop the specialized curriculum, provide instructional materials, and assign experts to lecture in person.

Notably, the partnership with Shouwakai further extends DTU’s collaborations with Japanese partners in nursing. DTU previously established a tripartite partnership with Suganuma Group and Koyama medical & welfare group (Japan) to organize Sakura training courses for Nursing students. These courses give students an opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills of elderly care using Japanese methods, adopt a professional work style, and enhance awareness of the role of nurses in healthcare. Building on this foundation, the new partnership with Shouwakai expands the training to include care for patients requiring rehabilitation, addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals with strong expertise and practical skills.

Rehabilitation training course with Japanese experts

On the same day as the signing ceremony, the training course on “Healthcare for patients requiring rehabilitation” for DTU students of Nursing was launched. The course featured instruction from experts at Shouwakai’s Ota Memorial Hospital, including Mr Ishii Hiroki, an occupational therapist; Ms Mishima Akiko, a speech therapist; and Mr Oeda Naoya and Mr Murakami Yusuke, physical therapists. Combining theory, demonstrations, and practice, the course gave Nursing students an opportunity to learn about patient care and support methods currently used in Japanese healthcare.

The training course “Healthcare for patients requiring rehabilitation” for Nursing students at DTU

On October 29 and 30, 2026, DTU students of Nursing received direct instruction from Japanese experts on knowledge and skills related to the healthcare for patients requiring rehabilitation. The training focused on rehabilitation approaches at different stages, assessing patients’ ability for independent activity, techniques for assisting with movement and mobility, support with daily living, and the assessment and support of patients experiencing difficulties with swallowing, eating, drinking, and oral hygiene.

In particular, the course combined theory with practice based on real-life simulated scenarios. The students took turns playing the roles of caregivers and patients, gaining hands-on experience in assisting with dressing, transferring patients from beds to wheelchairs, using mobility aids, adjusting patient positioning, and providing safe feeding assistance. With guidance and feedback from the Japanese experts, the students reinforced their knowledge, practiced professional skills, and improved their observational abilities, empathy, and responsibility in patient care.

The partnership with Suganuma Group and Shouwakai affirms DTU’s commitment

to connecting education with professional practice and strengthening international cooperation

At the conclusion of the two-day training course, students and experts reviewed the knowledge they covered, discussed how the methods learned can be applied to healthcare practices in Vietnam, took part in assessment, and awarded certificates.

The MoU with Suganuma Group and Shouwakai and the launch of the first course on rehabilitation further demonstrate DTU’s commitment to aligning education with professional practice and strengthening international cooperation. From the Sakura courses on elderly care to the rehabilitation training, these partnerships with Japanese organizations are enriching the learning environment for DTU students of Nursing and progressively strengthening the their professional expertise, practical skills, and ability to adapt to international working environments.

(Media Center)