The Tackling Health Challenges in Internationally Linked Research Hubs module provides an exceptional learning experience, combining academic research with real-world applications. This is hosted by Utrecht University (UU) and Université de Montpellier (UM), and offered to their master students. The first cohort celebrated the end of this innovative module crossing education, research and patience care with a Grand Finale where students presented their research proposals.  

Preparatory Phase 

The module is designed to encourage collaboration among students from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds. The module is divided into two parts: a preparatory phase followed by a six-month hands-on research internship. This combination allows students to engage with an issue related to global health while developing skills needed for their future careers. In the first phase, students spent 13 weeks developing research proposals for a specific health challenge. For the 2024 edition, the focus was on colorectal cancer.  

“This module balances work well, keeping you busy while encouraging good group participation. I liked meeting peers in person every few weeks. The interactive, project-based approach is a nice change from the usual lectures, and the research proposal was really motivating. It helped improve my writing and communication, though there’s room to improve intercultural communication in diverse teams”, said Romee, another student from the module.  

Working in interdisciplinary teams, 22 students from diverse academic backgrounds collaborated to create research proposals. The module was a hybrid between UU and UM, with all students coming together for a joint conference in Montpellier at the start of the module. This immersive week allowed students to engage directly with experts, medical professionals, and patients, gaining insights from multiple perspectives. After this, students continued their work virtually, collaborating across borders.

Global health issue

Working in teams, students brought diverse perspectives to the challenge, promoting a deeper understanding of colorectal cancer. Each team had a supervisor who connected them with experts from the UU and UM hubs, facilitating access to leading researchers. In addition, students gained valuable input from a variety of stakeholders, including medical doctors, researchers, patient advocacy groups, and patients themselves. This broadens their understanding of health challenges, ensuring a multifaceted approach to problem-solving. 

Grand Finale 

The Grand Finale took place on 11 December 2024, where students presented their research proposals on colorectal cancer pathology and reflected on their learnings. This hybrid event provided an opportunity for students to showcase their work to a broad audience, including researchers, medical professionals, and patients. It marked the culmination of their collaborative efforts and highlighted the innovative approaches developed during the module. 

Hands-on Research Internship 

The second phase of the module will involve a six-month internship, where four students will conduct lab research in the multiple HUBs at their disposal from UU and the UM. These internships will provide students with valuable hands-on research experience, allowing them to apply the knowledge and skills developed during the preparatory phase. Working on the same health issue, students will continue their collaboration with international peers, contributing to ongoing research projects on colorectal cancer from diverse perspectives.  

Conclusions and Recommendations 

The Tackling Health Challenges in Internationally Linked Research Hubs module provided students with valuable skills in global health, including critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. Through transcultural teamwork, students developed practical and academic skills necessary for tackling global health challenges. This first edition of the module has been a valuable and unique experience, offering a special opportunity to engage in international research. Based on the feedback and experiences, a proposal for future iterations of the module is meant to be developed, including more CHARM-EU partner universities and students and focusing on refining a more effective learning and collaboration. 

Gilles Subra, CHARM-EU Director at the Université de Montpellier farewelled the students at the Grand Finale: “You can move the system of education forward, together we can be successful. You are now the ambassadors of this module!”