Collaborative e-platform for innovation and educational enhancement in medical engineering

The CALLME project is dedicated to advancing innovation and educational enhancements in the field of medical engineering. Its core priorities and topics encompass a comprehensive approach to improving education in this domain. First and foremost, the project places a strong emphasis on stimulating innovative learning and teaching practices to ensure that educators stay current with the rapidly evolving landscape of medical engineering. This involves the adoption of creative and up-to-date teaching methods that engage and inspire students.

CALLME is an Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership in Higher Education (KA220-HED) aiming to modernise medical engineering education and strengthen cooperation among universities, companies and healthcare providers through a digitally supported knowledge network.

In addition to innovative pedagogy, the project seeks to promote interconnected higher education systems by encouraging collaboration among various stakeholders within the field. This interconnectedness is crucial for creating a well-coordinated ecosystem that fosters excellence in medical engineering education. Furthermore, the CALLME project emphasizes the development, testing, and adaptation of learning and teaching methodologies, particularly in Natural and Engineering Sciences (NEM) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This includes integrating modern information and communication technologies (ICT) and related tools to enhance the teaching and learning experiences in medical engineering.

Background & needs

Medical engineering sits at the intersection of healthcare, engineering and digital technologies. The demand for personalised implants, assistive systems and patient-specific mechatronic solutions is rapidly increasing. However, educational pathways and collaboration models between universities, clinics and industry are often fragmented.

CALLME addresses these gaps by creating a systematic, scalable way to connect expertise (“atoms” of knowledge) into “molecules” and E-Centers, supported by an open e-platform and modern pedagogical approaches based on NEM (Nano Education Model) and STEM.

  • Need for stronger links between HEIs, companies and medical institutions.
  • Need for flexible, digital and inclusive learning environments.
  • Need to support lifelong learning and upskilling in medical engineering.

Specific objectives

  • Create a transnational Knowledge Triangle Network of E-Centers in partner countries.
  • Develop and pilot innovative curricula and courses in medical engineering.
  • Design and deploy the E-COOL platform with e-Learning, Smart CMS and assisted learning toolkit.
  • Ensure inclusive access, including for learners with disabilities, through dedicated tools.
  • Promote dissemination and sustainability of the network beyond the project’s lifetime.

E-Centers NEM & STEM E-COOL platform Toolkit for Assisted Learning

Target groups

CALLME serves a wide range of stakeholders across the knowledge triangle:

  • Students in engineering, medical engineering and related fields.
  • Academic staff and curriculum designers in higher education institutions.
  • Medical practitioners and clinical staff involved in medical engineering applications.
  • Industry partners developing medical devices, implants and assistive solutions.
  • Public bodies and organisations supporting innovation, skills and employability.

Methodology

The project combines:

  • NEM – representing knowledge as “atoms” and “molecules” for flexible reuse.
  • STEM – integrating science, technology, engineering and mathematics perspectives.
  • Digital learning – LMS, Smart CMS, and web portals connected through E-COOL.
  • Participatory design – involving students, companies and clinicians in testing and feedback.
  • Start date: 03/10/2022
  • End date: 02/10/2025
  • Total duration: 36 months

Technical University of Cluj-Napoca is Lead coordinator of the CALLME project and the consortium is comprised by Technical Universities and SMEs partners that are coming from Cyprus, Latvia, Ireland and Serbia.

“Collaborative e-platform for innovation and educational enhancement in medical engineering” – CALLME Project Reference:  2022-1-RO01-KA220-HED-000087703 is an ERASMUS+ program which was funded within the key action 2 Cooperation Partnerships.

The project deals with the lack of cooperation between higher education institutions, clinics, and businesses in European countries, leading to education not meeting market requirements and limited use of modern research methods and engineering techniques. The Knowledge Triangle Network aims to resolve these issues by enabling the application of STEM philosophy and related technologies in medical engineering education, coordinating collaboration between HEI, clinics, and companies, including more women researchers, and establishing virtual centers (E-Centers) and an E-COOL platform for constant knowledge exchange and transferability of achievements. The network also aims to foster an entrepreneurial and innovative higher education sector, encourage innovative learning and teaching practices, and provide standardized modular course design to allow for lifelong learning and skill development. Ultimately, the goal is to create a Pan-European educational platform for further education and specialization in the field of medical engineering and the integration of novel medical techniques into society. The CALLME project will bring added value of the project to the European community, including novel ICT solutions in medical engineering education and research that are standardized for all countries and contribute to strengthening cooperation between universities, medical clinics, training providers, and SMEs. The project also seeks to strengthen capacity building through a virtual network of staff, contribute to internationalization strategies, and establish a basis for the creation of Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KIC). The objective is to develop an integrated system through the E-COOL platform that will improve the European level of STEM application to learning principles, including Geometrical Modelling, Virtual Reality, Personalized medicine, and other specific subfields. The project team aims to ensure possible uptake beyond the partnership, including in KICs, and to provide support for already formed KICs across the EU.