title: Factors for success in collaboration between high- and low-income countries: Developing a physiotherapy education programme in Sudan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  THIS STUDY PRESENTS AN EXAMPLE OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN TWO HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: one in Norway, a high-income country, and one in Sudan, a low-income country, in developing an entry-level physiotherapy education programme in Sudan. The institution in Sudan had minimal theoretical and practical knowledge in physiotherapy. The study examined the factors important for the success of the bilateral collaboration.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed written documents produced in the project from 2007 to 2012 in a qualitative study by using systematic text condensation. We identified vital factors for partner institutions and participants in ensuring a physiotherapy education programme of high quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  THESE FACTORS WERE WITHIN SEVEN TOPICS: project arrangements, collaboration relationship, curriculum development, administration of the bachelor programme, capacity building, academic community and infrastructure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We identified several factors that we hope can be valuable for similar projects. Some factors are similar to those shown by other studies. These are probably general factors that are important for such collaboration.
authors.affiliation: Høgskolen i Bergen/Bergen University College , Norway.
authors.forename: Mildrid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haugland
authors.affiliation: Høgskolen i Bergen/Bergen University College , Norway.
authors.forename: Anne Brit
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Sørsdahl
authors.affiliation: Ahfad University for Women , Omdurman , Sudan.
authors.forename: Abdel Salam
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Salih
authors.affiliation: Ahfad University for Women , Omdurman , Sudan.
authors.forename: Omeima
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Salih
keywords: Bachelor study; bilateral collaboration; entry-level physiotherapy education programme; higher education institution; international collaboration; partnerships; systematic text condensation