BNU signs Memorandum of Understanding with Sri Lanka’s National Ambulance Service
Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 1990 Suwa Seriya, Sri Lanka’s national ambulance service. This marks a significant step in a collaboration that began in 2023 and reflects BNU's continued commitment to global engagement and social impact.
The partnership has been led by the Paramedic Team in the School of Health and Social Care Professions, working with BNU student paramedics and clinical experts to support the professional development of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in Sri Lanka.
Over the past two years, BNU teams have contributed to the co-design of education programmes, clinical protocols, instructor training, and quality assurance frameworks, with the aim of working in partnership with local universities and the Suwa Seriya Foundation to strengthen pre-hospital emergency care across the country.
Since 2023, BNU has so far sent two teams to deliver clinical refresher training to 1990 EMTs, reaching almost 200 staff on each visit. The University has also been able to donate clinical training equipment so that our refresher courses can continue to be delivered by the local training team for the 1,300 strong workforce of EMTs across the country. The visits to date have been supported by a range of stakeholders, including the BNU Alliance Fund, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Sri Lankan Airlines.
Above: Mr Sohan de Silva (CEO, 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation) and Professor Will Broughton sharing signed copies of the MoU
This MoU formalises the relationship and paves the way for further collaboration, including opportunities for joint research, knowledge exchange, and student and staff engagement with emergency care institutions in the UK and abroad.
Professor Will Broughton, who has led BNU’s involvement, said: “This partnership exemplifies our University’s mission to make a meaningful difference through education. It’s been a privilege to work alongside such a committed group of professionals, both here at BNU and in Sri Lanka. We’re proud to support the development of a high-quality, sustainable emergency response system that meets local needs while drawing on international best practice.
"This collaboration is a brilliant example of how BNU’s values can shape global health outcomes. It also highlights the important role that our staff and students play in creating real-world change, not just within our communities, but across borders.
"A huge thank you to everyone involved. We look forward to the next chapter of this important work."