Ali Ghanchi joined the University of Luxembourg in September 2024 as Assistant Professor in Midwifery Studies.
Could you introduce yourself?
“I am the new assistant professor in Midwifery Studies attached to the Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM). I am a fully qualified Midwife (yes, a man can be a Midwife too!) and I don’t know how many babies I have delivered over the years I worked on the delivery ward (probably a thousand or so). I worked as clinical midwife in numerous hospitals and clinics in France before leaving the delivery ward to become a Midwife manager. For the last 10 years I managed outpatient clinics (prenatal follow up, prenatal screening and ultrasounds) in Paris, first at the Pitié Salpetriere Hospital and then at Necker Children’s Hospital. During that time, in addition to my managerial duties I continued with clinical practice and participated in various research activities of these University Teaching Hospitals. Thanks to the encouragement of the APHP and Necker Hospital staff, I was able to pursue my PhD which has led me on this path here today.”
Why did you join the University of Luxembourg?
“I joined the University of Luxembourg because I have always wanted to participate in teaching new midwifery students. When I came for my interview, I was amazed at the range of modern learning facilities available to students that included a simulation suite. I found the University of Luxembourg to be a dynamic hub of innovation that is open to new ideas, research and technology. I’m really pleased to be able to join a fantastic team and looking forwards to making my contribution to enhancing the student learning experience.”
What will be your main activities and challenges?
“At present my main activity is the development of a new Midwifery Studies Bachelor. I will be also assisting my colleagues in the new Nursing Sciences Bachelors that started this year. In addition to this, I will be participating a number of research projects. My main challenges are navigating a new country, culture, language, and administration. It seems daunting to have the responsibility of implementing a new midwifery studies bachelor. However, I am comforted by the fact that I have met some extraordinary people in the short time that I have been here. Together in a team we hope to be catalysts for change and accompany the paradigm shift that is occurring in midwifery education in Luxembourg.”