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‘Student Nurses’ Voices
from Southeast Asia’ |
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Session One Recording available here >>> Session Two Recording available here >>>
Session Three available here>>> Session Four available here>>>
Session Three available here>>> Session Four available here>>>
Session Five of our global ‘Student Nurses' Voices Speaker Series’
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“Nurses are the beating heart of our planet and our motherland!”
Dr. Vaishali Rajsinh Mohite Dean, University- Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth Principal, Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences Karad, Maharashtra, India |
Session Five of our 'Student Nurses’ Speaker Series’ is the next Series to prepare and engage nurses—including students and retirees—to become inspired and informative thought-leaders across the global public space—to advocate for achieving SDG # 3 and to influence the listening ears of everyone! Building on the success of our Nurses’ Voices Speaker Series— this new Series continues our innovative global multi-media outreach of eight Sessions to be broadcasted from across the world. This Session features leading
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voices from Bhutan, India, the Maldives and Thailand, it was broadcast virtually on March 11, 2025 and Co-Hosted by the United Nations Institutefor Training & Research (UNITAR), UNITAR's CIFAL York Centre for training at York University in Toronto, Canada, and the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health (NIGH). This Session was Co-Sponsored by the Commonwealth Nurses & Midwives Federation (CMNF), the Global Academy for Holistic Nursing (GAHN) and the Integral Nurse Coach Academy (INCA).
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This Session provides a foundation to bring Student Nurses' Voices
into a dynamic global dialogue toward achieving a healthy world.
into a dynamic global dialogue toward achieving a healthy world.
Presenters’ Bios
Southeast Asia Regional Introduction
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Ai Tanimizu Speaking at minute 10:36
Ms. Ai Tanimizu is the Technical Officer for Nursing and Midwifery for the WHO Regional office for South-East Asia, based in New Delhi, India. She is an ambitious nurse working to strengthen health systems in countries so that everyone, anywhere, can receive high quality health services when in need. She has received her BScN from York University in Ontario, Canada and MN degree from the University of Toronto in the Health Systems Leadership and Administration stream.
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Moderator
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Dr. Phalakshi Manjrekar
Speaking at minute 1:53 and throughout the Session Dr. Phalakshi Manjrekar serves as the distinguished Nursing Director and Member of the Board of Managers (Trustees) at the P.D. Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre (HHMRC), a major healthcare delivery provider that has, since its founding in the 1950s, served more than 13 million patients in Mumbai, India. She also volunteers — in an independent capacity — as a nurse leader meeting primary, maternal and child health needs in remote villages. In these roles, Dr. Manjrekar is responsible for the professional development of 700 staff directly under her charge — including nurses practicing in both
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hospital and clinic setting settings, and most particularly, those working to ensure the optimal health of mothers, infants, and young children. To address the multiple concerns of nurses and nursing educators across India, Dr. Manjrekar has conferred with global and regional nursing leaders in Canada, Great Britain and from across the Commonwealth, as well as in Switzerland and in India — where she has attended World Health Organization briefings in Geneva and at WHO SEARO in New Delhi. Dr. Manjrekar has developed related presentations — focused on maternal and child health in India — to keynote for the International Conference of the Commonwealth Nurses & Midwives Federation in London, UK (2014) and for an official ‘Parallel Panel’ of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York City in 2015. Dr. Manjrekar presently serves on NIGH's Board of Directors and oversees the development of NIGH World’s presence in India. In June 2011, she represented NIGH World as a featured panelist speaking on ‘Using New Media to Empower Nurses’ at the Women’s World 2011 Conference (1,600 attendees) convened at the University of Ottawa, in Canada.
Panelists
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Dr. Vaishali Rajsinh Mohite Speaking at minutes 17:11 & 26:57
Since 2006, Dr. (Mrs.) Vaishali Rajsinh Mohite continues as Dean of the Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences at the Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed To Be University) in Karad, Maharashtra — also serving as a leading Indian nursing educator since 2011. She successfully completed the prestigious International Council of Nurses (ICN) Leadership for Change in Programme in 2022 — convened by the ICN and the Indian Nursing Council in New Delhi in 2024. Dr. Mohite was Chairperson for the Platinum Jubilee State Student Nurses Association conducted for 1000 participants in Karad and has served as a leading speaker and organizer
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for 10 national conferences in India and 12 conferences internationally. She serves as a member of the National Advisory Board of the Indian Journal of Health Sciences & BioMedical Research, and has authored two Medical-Surgical Nursing textbooks and 117 articles in peer-reviewed professional journals. She achieved her PhD in Nursing from the Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences in 2016, her Master of Science in Nursing at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Bangalore in 2006, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Mumbai University / Sir J. J. Hospital in 1997, earning her first Diploma in General Nursing & Midwifery in 1992.
Dr. Mohite is a Life Member of the national Trained Nurses Association of India and the Society of Midwives-India, the National Neonatal Nursing Forum, and the Indian Public Health Association, also serving as an Ad-hoc Inspector for the Indian Nursing Council in New Delhi.
Dr. Mohite is a Life Member of the national Trained Nurses Association of India and the Society of Midwives-India, the National Neonatal Nursing Forum, and the Indian Public Health Association, also serving as an Ad-hoc Inspector for the Indian Nursing Council in New Delhi.
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Aleena Thomas Speaking at minutes 21:35 & 1:50:26
Aleena Thomas is in the final year of her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing at the Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences at the Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed To Be University) in Karad, Maharashtra. She is a dedicated and passionate nursing student with strong academic achievements and leadership experience. She ranked 1st overall and 1st in Anatomy & Physiology in her first year, ranked 3rd in her second year, and has won prizes in several essay writing competitions. She is skilled in patient care, public speaking, and
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anchoring for events including for Neurosurgery, for the Doctorate in Nursing Practice, and for Continuing Medical Education. She is seeking opportunities to apply her knowledge and communication skills in dynamic healthcare environments. She is a member of the Student Council of the Student Nurses’ Association of India.
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Christy Anna Saji Speaking at minutes 27:17 & 1:56:48
Christy Ana Saji is in the final year of her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nursing at the Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences at the Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed To Be University) in Karad, Maharashtra. She is a committed and passionate nursing student with a strong academic record and leadership experience. She is proficient in patient care, public speaking, and event hosting, with a keen ability to communicate effectively. She is eager to leverage her skills and knowledge in dynamic healthcare environments and to contribute
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effectively to patient care and team collaboration. She is a member of the Student Council of the Student Nurses’ Association of India — focused on leadership and professional development — and is a winner of multiple essay writing competitions.
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Professor Asiya Ibrahim Speaking at minutes 33:55 & 45:09
Asiya Ibrahim is currently the Dean of the School of Nursing at the Maldives National University. She started her career as an Assistant Tutor in the Institute of Health Sciences and was then promoted to Assistant Lecturer, Lecturer, and Senior lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Maldives College of Higher Education — which later became the Maldives National University (MNU). When the School of Nursing was established as a separate school within MNU, Asiya was the first Dean and is now serving her second term. She has over 26 years of experience in nursing education. Her main areas of expertise in teaching are nursing management, qualitative research, and nursing theories. She has been instrumental in
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curriculum development and in the initiation of the Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Nursing, and Master of Nursing Administration programs. Additionally, she has experience conducting qualitative research and currently supervises Master of Nursing students’ research projects. In her professional capacity, Professor Ibrahim has been a member of the Maldives Nursing and Midwifery Council (MNMC), serving a five-year term from 2015 to 2020. During this period, she acted as the registrar from 2015 to 2016 and also held the position of President of MNMC in 2017. Additionally, she is one of the founding members of the Maldives Nurses Association (MNA) and served on its executive committee from 2009 to 2011, first as vice president and later as president of the association. Currently, she is an advisory board member of MNA. She also serves as a member of the editorial committee for the Journal of Problem-Based Learning, published by the Halla Newcastle PBL Education and Research Center at Cheju Halla University in South Korea. She is a member of the National Health Research Council and serves on the MNU research ethics committee. Professor Ibrahim has extensive knowledge and experience in nursing and nursing education, contributing to the profession in these many capacities. She is currently completing her PhD of Nursing at Chiangmai University, Thailand and achieved her Master of Nursing (Advanced Practice) from University of Newcastle, in Australia and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Christian Medical College, in India
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Hawwa Laila Luthfee Speaking at minutes 39:57 & 1:46:06
Hawwa Laila Luthfee is a student nurse at Maldives National University, School of Nursing, currently in her final year of the Bachelor of Nursing program. She chose nursing as her career because she loves helping people and believes it is one of the fields that gives back significantly to individuals and the community. She is particularly interested in Critical Care in nursing and Mental Health nursing as she believes these fields are essential for delivering compassionate care. In 2022, she completed a Mental Health Ambassador Training by the Society for Health Education (SHE) in the Maldives.
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Shameela Ali Speaking at minutes 45:48 &
Shameela Ali is currently studying in The Maldives National University (MNU) under the School of Nursing Faculty. This is her second semester. During the last semester, she has achieved multiple internships in multiple hospital hospitals in the Maldives — to gain hands-on experience in her future profession. She is interested in Paediatric nursing where she can help with infants and children. She has always adored to help others, and she chose nursing as a profession to be able to help and care for people in need. When she has free time, she likes to visit beaches and enjoys taking part in extra activities.
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Professor (Dr.) Mrs. Unmona Borgohain Saikia
Speaking at minutes 51:37 & 1:01:19 Professor Dr. Unmona Borgohain Saikia currently serves as Prof Cum Principal at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Guwahti, Assam. She is a Senate Member of SNDT Women’s University in Mumbai and serves as the National Vice President of Association of Nurse Executives of India. She has also served as Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at the Health University Assam and has been instrumental in bridging gap between nursing education and nursing service —immensely contributing to the nursing research field by guiding numerous research studies at post-graduate and PhD levels.
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Across her professional journey from bedside nurse to ‘Intrapreneur,’ she has worked as Chief of Quality Control department of Super-Specialty Hospitals and introduced the In-service education concept in Assam two decades ago. She established the first private Nursing College in North East India and developed a unique model of teaching for the all-round development of students. She is also actively engaged in community services by organizing awareness programs, health camps, and counselling and guiding women and adolescents through the Women’s Wellness Centre.
In February of 2025, she was awarded the Best Indian Golden Personalities Award for outstanding services, achievements and contribution by the Friendship Forum of India. In November of 2024, she was awarded as India's Most Inspired Women Leaders 2024 by the She Inspire Magazine and has been granted similar awards in 2021 and 2022 for decade long dedicated service.
Throughout her career, Dr. Saikia she has been carrying dual responsibilities in both education and service — also in hospital quality control activities. She is a passionate and committed to mentor and guide student nurses through her multi-dimensional approach by fostering the appropriate culture to develop professionalism and the leadership abilities required to lead the future of healthcare globally.
In February of 2025, she was awarded the Best Indian Golden Personalities Award for outstanding services, achievements and contribution by the Friendship Forum of India. In November of 2024, she was awarded as India's Most Inspired Women Leaders 2024 by the She Inspire Magazine and has been granted similar awards in 2021 and 2022 for decade long dedicated service.
Throughout her career, Dr. Saikia she has been carrying dual responsibilities in both education and service — also in hospital quality control activities. She is a passionate and committed to mentor and guide student nurses through her multi-dimensional approach by fostering the appropriate culture to develop professionalism and the leadership abilities required to lead the future of healthcare globally.
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Arzoo Ahmed Speaking at minute 57:34
Arzoo Ahmed is a student in the fourth year of her Bachelor's in Science in Nursing at the Asian Institute of Nursing Education in Guwahati, Assam and at the SNDT Women's University in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She aims to be a compassionate and dedicate nurse committed to delivering high-quality patient-centered care, promoting health and wellness, and contributing to a supportive and effective healthcare environment — while continuously enhancing her professional skills. Arzoo is fluent in English, Assamese, Hindi and Bengali and achieved a Bharatnatyam Dance award in 2018.
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Mikee Borgohain Speaking at minutes 1:02:37 & 1:53:45
Mikee Borgohain is student in the Master's of Science in Nursing — majoring in Oncology — at the Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute at the Srimanta Shankardeva University of Health Sciences in Guwahati, Assam — where she also earned a Certificate in Palliative Care Training in 2024. She completed her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing at the Regional College of Nursing, also in Guwahati, and has practiced as a Staff Nurse at the Tata Medical Center in Kolkata. She speaks English and Hindi and has professional proficiency in Assamese and Bengali. In 2018, she won the title of Miss India Northeast and, in 2009, earned a National Scholarship in the field of Painting from the Centre for Cultural Resources & Training within the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India. Her hobbies include painting, playing chess, listening to music, and cooking.
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Dr. Diki Wangmo Speaking at minutes 1:11:13 & 1:18:38
Dr. Diki Wangmo is a nurse educator, practitioner and manager in Bhutan. She belongs to the first batch of General Nurse Midwives to be trained in Bhutan — graduating in 1986. After working for about 5 years in the clinical area — as head nurse of Maternity Ward and Maternal and Child Health Clinic — she joined the only health professional education Institute in Bhutan, then known as the Health School. At the Health School Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, she worked in the capacity of tutor, lecturer, associate professor, program leader, academic dean and deputy director. Finally, she joined the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan as the Registrar and retired from the government service in June 2023. From July 2023, she joined the Apollo Bhutan Institute of Nursing as the Dean.
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Dr. Wangmo achieved her Bachelors in Nursing from Edith Cowan University, in Perth, Australia, her Masters in Nursing Science, from Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, in Thailand and she is a PhD graduate (in Primary Health Care) at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane Australia. She has seen how the nursing and midwifery profession overcame challenges and made progress in Bhutan and considers herself fortunate to have been a small part of this progress. She is passionate about the Nursing profession and would like to ensure that we maintain both the science and art of nursing since she believes that “young is progress but old is gold.”
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Akash Pradham Speaking at minutes 1:15:10 & 1:43:31
Akash Pradhan is a third-year nursing student at the Apollo Bhutan Institute of Nursing. Currently, he reflects on his inspiring journey toward becoming a healthcare professional. His interest in the medical field blossomed early, fueled by a desire to help others and a belief that true happiness lies in the well-being of those around him. He found joy in helping friends and family during times of illness, which deepened his understanding of the profound impact of care and compassion. Enrolling in nursing school was a dream realized and — despite the challenges of a rigorous curriculum — he embraced every late-night study session and hands-on clinical experience. Now, with his sights set on specializing in both pediatrics and adult
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care, he is filled with excitement and determination to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients of all ages, knowing that their happiness is what fuels his own.
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Jigdrel Yeshi Sangay Speaking at minute 1:19:01
Jigdrel Yeshi Sangay is currently on a journey towards his third year — and as a second year student — who is embarking on this adventure in the nursing field at Apollo Bhutan Institute of Nursing, As he reflects on his journey towards becoming a competent and passionate nurse, his dream towards becoming a nurse started a very long ago as when he was in his teen years. He finds the nursing field very exciting and interesting as he really loves to help people with illness. This excitement made him learn new knowledges and also strengthened his past knowledge on care and comfort of the patient. Though the medical field — such as nursing — is challenging, he has put on so much effort for himself to improve and provide the best of the best care. With his goals set, he is really looking forward to learning more knowledge in the nursing field and is so happy that he will be able to make a change in patients lives. The happiness that they get will always turns his will power to provide more care and comfort.
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Dr. Supapak Phetrasuwan Appreciated at minute 1:23:48
Dr. Supapak Phetrasuwan is Assistant Professor and Associate Dean for Internal Relations & Corporate Communication as well as for the WHO Collaborating Centre — affiliated with WHO SEARO — at Mahidol University Faculty of Nursing in Bangkok, Thailand. Her clinical specialties and research interests include Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down's Syndrome and Child Mental Health. Her 2003 Doctoral Dissertation focused on the “Psychological adjustment in mother of children with autism spectrum disorders” and she has been the lead author for “Parenting Stress in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders” in the
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Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing and "Defining Autism Spectrum Disorders,” in the Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing. In November of 2023, Dr. Phetrasuwan attended the 18th International Forum of Health Sciences organized by Department of Health Sciences at Kyushu University in Japan. She joined as a special speaker to give presentations on “The International Exchange Activities of Faculty of Nursing, [from] Mahidol University” and “The Current Status of Mental Health in Thailand and Local Effort” to the audience of Kyushu University’s students, faculty members, and staff.
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Chaleekul Kongthong Speaking at minute 1:25:57
Chaleekul Kongthong — whose nickname is ‘Dream’ — is a final-year nursing student at the Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Thailand. She chose nursing because she values helping others and believes it is a versatile profession that can be applied — in many ways — to improve individual and community health. She is particularly interested in pediatric nursing, specifically neonatal intensive care (NICU), as she believes early intervention is crucial in giving newborns the best start in life. In addition to her studies, she has participated in the 2022 Asia-Pacific Alliance of Health Leaders (APAHL) Forum, the 2023 SDGs Mobility Program on Good Food, Good Health, and the ASEAN University Network (AUN)–Thailand Summer Camp, focusing on SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being. These experiences have broadened her perspective on global healthcare challenges and strengthened her commitment to nursing.
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Supatsorn Aphaisuwan Speaking at minute 1:31:47
Supatsorn Aphaisuwan is a fourth-year nursing student at Mahidol University. She chose to pursue a career in nursing because she recognized the profound opportunity this profession offers to contribute to the well-being of both herself and others — while actively promoting health and providing essential care. She has gained various experiences in different clinical settings, including Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Surgery, and Psychiatry. She has always been interested in nursing. In addition to her clinical experience, she has also participated as an exchange nursing student in several countries. She is passionate about exchanging knowledge and learning in different settings to improve and share practices that will develop nursing care. Supatsorn looks forward to contributing to the advancement of nursing and improving patients' lives.
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Representing the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health
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Dr. Deva-Marie Beck
Speaking at minutes 2:00 / 6:47 / 1:24:39 / 1:42:26 / 1:45:33 / 1:48:49 & 1:57:43 Dr. Beck is a Canadian American nurse, global citizen, and award-winning Nightingale scholar. For 20 years, she has served as a volunteer International Co-Director for the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health — leading workshops, keynotes, webinars, feature articles, videos, UN briefings, and to achieve NIGH’s UN ECOSOC ‘Special Consultative Status.’ She has recently been recognized as an Honorary Scholar of the Global Academy of Holistic Nursing (HSGAHN) for her leadership to promote and sustain global health care transformation and
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advocacy to achieve the United Nations SDGs. After a 30-year clinical career in Critical Care & Women's Health settings, she received her doctorate in 2002, from Union Institute & University, for her groundbreaking research to articulate Florence Nightingale’s relevance to today’s international health, development, education, and media. She has since authored and co-authored articles for numerous peer-reviewed journals and textbooks. Dr. Beck has recently achieved the highest-level Education Award from Toastmasters International — as a Distinguished Toast Master ‘DTM’. She now aims to use this ‘credential’ to develop innovative ways to encourage and engage nurses and concerned citizens to share their voices and tell their stories in the global public arena.
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Dr. Maria Theresa ‘Tess’ Panizales
Speaking at minutes 3:32 / 1:49:17 / 1:53:03 / 1:53:35 Dr. Panizales serves on NIGH's Board of Directors and now as Co-Chair of NIGH's ‘Student Nurses' Voices Speaker Series.’ Previously, she took the lead for our 'Nurses' Voices from the Western Pacific' — Session Four of our 'Nurses' Voices Speaker Series' She also serves as NIGH's United Nations-NGO Representative in New York City. in July of 2023, she proactively participated in the launch of NIGH's 'Nurses' Voices' campaign — shared virtually and onsite from Switzerland and the 2023 Caux Forum 'Healing the Wounds of the Past.'
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She also shared her original language and culture by serving as NIGH's Advisor to establish the Tagalog / Filipino language version of the Nightingale Declaration. Dr Panizales has more than 40 years of professional nursing experience across the spectrum of healthcare both local and international — also including volunteer service. As a nurse leader, her goal is to engage and build the next generation of nurses through mentoring and role modeling. Her first nursing professional work was with the Red Cross. Hence, working with refugees in a public health context is her important connection. She is currently working at the Veterans HealthCare Administration.
