Project Iris
A symbol for hope, courage and admiration
Project Iris aims to provide a platform for students from the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS Nursing), National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, who are passionate about the specialty of paediatric oncology to explore their interests and contribute to the society at the same time. In addition, this project also looks into exposing Nursing students on Paediatric Oncology as well as to allow the application of theory to practical situations when interacting with them. Furthermore, by conducting outreach programmes, the project helps to raise awareness to the general public through the platforms because cancer in children is not commonly talked about, but indeed prevalent.
The aim of Project Iris is to offer a platform for NUS Nursing students who have a keen interest in paediatric oncology, a place to explore their passions while contributing to society.
The Project also seeks to expose Nursing students to paediatric oncology and provide practical experience in working with children. Through various outreach programs, Project Iris allows NUS Nursing students the opportunities to apply theory to practical situations as the students interact with the children.
Project Iris was named after the Iris flower because it represents qualities such as hope, courage, and admiration, which are fitting for our target beneficiaries – children with cancer. Project Iris seeks to involve these children in volunteer activities organized by the Nursing students who are project organisers of the initiatives.
Additionally, the Project also aims to provide educational opportunities to our student members by partnering with foreign universities. This partnership will help us learn more about their protocols and standards for cross-border learning, which will enable us to collectively improve healthcare systems for children.
One of the initiatives that were put together in the AY 2022/23, was a Paediatric Oncology Webinar organised with the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) from the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital [KKH] and the National University Hospital [NUH] of Singapore. Project Iris invited the Advanced Practice Nurses who specialise in Paediatric Oncology from KKH and NUH to talk about their work in Paediatric Oncology in their respective hospitals. These nurses also shared their experiences in dealing with the different patients’ conditions and how they help to manage those conditions whilst respecting the children and their families.
The other initiative was a Virtual Conference that was developed by our NUS Nursing students in collaboration with the student leaders from Nagoya University, Japan. Nagoya University is located in the Greater Nagoya Area of central Japan. Together, the Nursing students from both universities organised a multi-themed virtual conference that focused on Paediatric Oncology, Palliative Care, Gerontology, Obstetrics and Gynecology. The students also managed to conduct cultural activities for both our countries to help the participants to get to know and understand more about each other’s cultures!
Project Iris currently works with Children’s Cancer Foundation, ARC Children’s Centre and Love,Nils. If you would like to join us to advocate for Paediatric Oncology, please reach out to us via nus.projectiris@gmail.com.
Find us on:
https://www.instagram.com/nus.projectiris/
