From the White Bridge to the Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge: A historical account of two nations’ collaboration in advancing undergraduate nursing education in Lao PDR

Abstract

This invited article aims to document an important chapter in the history of the 55th anniversary of the Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University. It focuses on the Thai–Lao cooperation project to upgrade diploma-level nurses to bachelor’s degree-level nurses during 2001–2007 (B.E. 2544–2550). The project aimed to strengthen sustainable development and improve the nursing profession in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to meet international standards. The project was supported by funding from the Thai government, which assigned the Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, to take responsibility for the project activities. The evaluation showed that the project was highly successful. The author therefore considered it important to document the history of cooperation between the two countries in developing the nursing profession in Lao PDR. This historical record provides evidence of this important collaboration and may be useful for future development.