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Conference and Workshop “Innovative Virtual Biomedical Laboratory Education”

From January 15 to 17, 2025, the Medical University of Lublin hosted the final conference of the project VIBES (Virtual Innovative Biomedical Education in Science), funded by the Erasmus+ program. The event, organized by the Universities of Lublin, Foggia, Oslo, Reykjavik, and Leuven, brought together academics, educators, and researchers from across Europe to share findings and perspectives on innovative teaching tools in biomedical education.

The conference focused on three main objectives: presenting the results of the VIBES project, including interactive virtual modules, standardized operating procedures, and teaching guides; exploring sustainable educational models that integrate virtual labs with traditional learning, building on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic; and fostering networking among European institutions for future collaborations in scientific education.

A distinguished delegation of experts from VIBES partner institutions actively contributed to the conference, delivering high-level scientific and educational presentations. The sessions showcased key project outcomes, including interactive virtual modules, standardized operating procedures, and innovative teaching methodologies.

The conference underscored the potential of virtual tools in making biomedical education more accessible and effective. Organizers expressed great satisfaction with the outcomes, emphasizing that the developed materials provide a replicable model for diverse educational contexts. The strong collaboration among partner institutions reinforced the project's role in shaping the future of biomedical education in Europe.

On August 29, 2024, the fourth Transnational Project Meeting (TPM#4) of the VIBES project took place at the Agora Learning Center in Leuven, Belgium. Hosted by KU Leuven, the meeting brought together partners from the Medical University of Lublin (Poland), University of Oslo (Norway), University of Foggia (Italy), and Reykjavik University (Iceland), with participants attending both in person and remotely.
The agenda focused on the beta-testing of finalized educational materials, including movies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Teacher’s Guides, and glossaries. Each partner presented their developed materials for peer review and discussed feedback to improve interactivity and content presentation. A key highlight was the review of various formats, such as traditional videos with subtitles and interactive versions, which are designed to enhance student engagement.

The meeting also covered the dissemination strategy for the project's deliverables. Discussions centered around how to effectively share educational materials on the project’s platform and ensure compliance with EU regulations, ensuring open access to all materials developed under the project.
Additional topics included planning the next project conference. This productive meeting set the stage for the finalization of VIBES deliverables and the ongoing promotion of innovative biomedical education through the project's platform.

Frustrated as an educator in Biomedical Sciences by the lack of adequate alternatives to hands-on laboratory trainings during the COVID19 pandemic? The VIBES project (Erasmus+ KA2) developed interactive virtual training tools to help students achieving learning objectives related to practical laboratory skills in biochemistry, developmental biology and molecular biology. These tools offer sustainable solutions for institutions lacking high-tech teaching lab facilities or whenever student(s) cannot access physical laboratories.
Join us at the VIBES conference on Innovative Virtual Biomedical Laboratory Education (January 15-17 2025, Medical University Lublin, Poland) to learn how to integrate these modules into your workshops. The event features distinguished keynote lectures on e-learning, networking opportunities and workshops, creating a forum to exchange e-learning insights.
Details are available on the conference, registration (deadline Dec 22 2024) and project website. Please share this with educators interested in interactive remote learning.
We hope to see you in Lublin!