49 Nurses Graduates from Grameen Caledonian Nursing College
Yunus Centre Press Release (December 21, 2016):
320 Children of Grameen Borrowers Pursuing Nursing Degree
Fifth graduation ceremony was held on Wednesday, December 21st, 2016 at Grameen Caledonian Nursing College (GCCN) with 49 students graduating who are all children of Grameen Bank borrowers. Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus presided over the graduation ceremony as the Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), Scotland. Mr Frank Crossan, Professor, GC University & Executive Director, Grameen Caledonian Nursing College represented Vice Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian university at the graduation ceremony. All 49 graduating nurses of this class have been hired by a top private specialized hospital already.
Currently about 320 students are pursing Diploma in nursing and BSC in Nursing at the college. Since its inception in 2010, 223 students have graduated from the college who are all from Grameen families. 6 students have completed higher education at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland with scholarships from the college. About 120 graduates are already working as government staff nurses while others secured appointment at the top private hospitals in the country including Square, Apollo and United.
Application from the children of Grameen Bank borrowers are screened once a year and the selected applicants get interest free education loan from Grameen Bank to pursue their degree. Students get all equipment, dress, accommodation covered in the loan and get one year grace period before starting to pay back the loan through long term installments.
GCCN is a joint venture social business in the health sector between GCU, Scotland and Grameen Healthcare Trust that was established in 2010 by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus with an aim to create a world class nursing training institute in Bangladesh. It started its journey at rented space but is planning to shift to its spacious permanent campus in 2018.
During his speech at the graduation ceremony, Professor Muhammad Yunus congratulated the young nurses and said, “It is a proud moment for the GCCN graduates and also their parents. GCCN has come a long way since its establishment and I am confident it will continue to contribute to the country’s healthcare industry by creating world class nurses; who are both efficient and caring. It is good to see all graduates are getting employed at the top hospitals of the country.”
Mr Frank Crossan, Professor, GCU & Executive Director, GCCN said, “I am proud to be a part of today’s graduation ceremony. I am congratulating our graduates while at the same time asking them to serve the humanity as they have chosen the noblest of profession.”
Photo Caption- 1 : Nobel Laureate and Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University(GCU) Professor Muhammad Yunus awarding the top student during the Fifth Graduation Ceremony of Grameen Caledonian Nursing College (GCCN) on Wednesday 21st December, 2016. A total of 49 students graduated this year from the college who are all children of Grameen Bank members. Photo: Yunus Centre
Photo Caption - 2 : Mr Frank Crossan, Professor, GCU University & Executive Director, Grameen Caledonian Nursing College(GCCN) presenting a crest to Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus at the graduation ceremony ceremony of GCCN on Wednesday 21st December, 2016. Photo: Yunus Centre
Photo Caption - 3 : Graduating students taking the Nightingale Pledge during the Fifth Graduation Ceremony of Grameen Caledonian Nursing College (GCCN) on Wednesday 21st December, 2016. Total 49 students graduated this year from the college who are all children of Grameen Bank members. Photo: Yunus Centre
Source: Yunus Centre
Updated Date: 22nd January, 2017