With the theme “Nurses Together: A Force for Global Health,” the Nurse Educators and Practitioners Guild (NEPRAGuild) Inc. hosted its 4th Biennial International Conference on Nursing Education, Practice, and Research on July 6-7, 2023, in Zamboanga City. This event provided a platform for academic and professional exchange, focusing on collaborative research initiatives that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global health advancements.

The conference, organized by NEPRAGuild Inc. in collaboration with Universidad de Zamboanga’s Nursing Department, was led by Dr. Norenia T. Dao-ayen and co-chaired by Ms. Sherryl Ann N. Pengson. Participants included nursing researchers, educators, and students from various colleges, universities, healthcare institutions, and hospitals across the Philippines. Representing the University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing (UC-CON) was a delegation of faculty and students, led by Dean Judith Odanee G. Magwilang.

Distinguished speakers highlighted the essential roles of nurses in global health, nursing education, and research. Keynote addresses were delivered by Hon. John M. Dalipe, City Mayor; Dr. Milabel Enriquez-Ho, Executive Director of AACCUP; and Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena, President of Western Mindanao State University. Plenary speakers, including notable nursing and medical professionals from Thailand, the USA, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines, shared insights on topics ranging from educational innovations to clinical practices and research collaborations.

The event celebrated impactful research and findings presented by attendees, underscoring the importance of evidence-based practices and cross-border nursing partnerships. Through forums and discussions, the conference reinforced the power of collaborative nursing initiatives in achieving health equity and advancing the profession.