Erasmus+ EU Projects

 Virtual Health Lab in Higher Education 

This is an innovative educational project designed to address the challenges of laboratory-based STEM education in a blended and distance learning context. Funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program, the project aims to bridge the gap in science education by providing accessible, virtual learning experiences in biology. It seeks to cultivate essential 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and digital literacy among students. 

The project focuses on creating open-access virtual labs tailored for higher education students. These labs simulate realistic laboratory experiences and incorporate scenarios and activities covering key biology topics. By offering resources in multiple languages, including English, Greek, Spanish, and Romanian, VHEalthLab ensures its materials are accessible and adaptable to various educational sectors, including secondary education. These resources can support remote teaching, complement traditional classroom labs, or be adapted for use in secondary schools, making them highly versatile and impactful. 

VHEalthLab addresses a pressing concern across Europe: the declining interest in STEM fields among youth. By providing engaging and scalable solutions, the project aims to inspire learners and increase participation in science education. It emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and accessibility, offering resources that align with global educational standards and cater to diverse learning environments. 

Ascendia’s Contribution 

With extensive experience in creating interactive digital content and virtual learning platforms, Ascendia contributes to the project by designing and implementing the e-learning platform and virtual biology labs lessons. These labs replicate the hands-on experience of traditional labs while adhering to SCORM and other e-learning standards, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of Learning Management Systems. 

Additionally, Ascendia utilizes advanced authoring tools like LIVRESQ, as well as cutting-edge AI technologies, to enhance the development process and improve user experience. 

Partnerships and Management 

The University of Nicosia leads the scientific coordination of the project. With collaboration from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Santiago de Compostela, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth, Cyprus and Ascendia S.A., VHEalthLab represents a step forward in leveraging technology to enhance educational outcomes. 

Project duration: December 1, 2023 – November 30, 2025 

Co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme