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DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF MEDICAL EDUCATION IN UKRAINE: INSIGHTS FROM THE UKRAINEDIGITRANS PROJECT

 

The UkraineDigiTrans initiative represents a transformative journey for medical education in Ukraine, positioned at the intersection of digital innovation, pedagogical renewal, and professional growth. As a strategic response to the accelerated digitization of healthcare and the ongoing challenges posed by the war, this Erasmus+-funded project is helping Ukrainian medical educators embrace modern digital tools and reimagine how medical knowledge is taught, learned, and applied across institutions.

At its core, UkraineDigiTrans seeks to enhance the digital competencies of medical teachers, enabling them to integrate technologies such as artificial intelligence, hybrid learning methodologies, and simulation pedagogy into everyday education. This transformation acknowledges that the future of medical training lies not only in traditional lecture formats but also in interactive, student-centered learning that leverages digital platforms to mirror real clinical challenges. Teachers participating in the project have been part of comprehensive “train-the-trainer” programs, where they learn to design online and hybrid learning modules, apply flipped-classroom strategies, and use digital tools to build engagement and resilience among students.

Perhaps the “wow moment” of this transformation is the observable shift among educators themselves. As highlighted in project showcases and video testimonials, many Ukrainian medical teachers—historically grounded in traditional pedagogical approaches—have embraced digital instruments not as add-ons but as integral components of their teaching identity. This shift reflects a broader cultural change: educators are increasingly confident using interactive platforms, creating micro-courses, and exploring remote simulation environments that prepare students for both local and global healthcare contexts. The emphasis on continuous professional growth—summed up in the project’s call to “Don’t stop learning. Continue growing professionally”—captures the ethos driving this transformation.

Beyond skill development, UkraineDigiTrans also fosters an environment of international collaboration and shared learning. Ukrainian educators have engaged with European partners from Finland and Greece, exchanging best practices and co-developing course materials that enrich the educational ecosystem back home. These exchanges have broadened perspectives on digital pedagogy, ethical use of technologies in healthcare training, and the role of mental well-being for both faculty and students in digitally-mediated learning.

In conclusion, the UkraineDigiTrans project exemplifies how digital transformation can elevate medical education in times of disruption and beyond. By empowering educators with new competencies, fostering student-centered digital learning designs, and building resilient educational structures, the project contributes to a more adaptive and future-ready medical workforce in Ukraine. Its approach underscores a critical lesson for higher-education reform: technology, paired with thoughtful pedagogy, can strengthen both the quality and sustainability of professional education in the 21st century.

#UkraineDigiTrans 

 

 

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AUTUMN DIGEST OF UKRAINEDIGITRANS: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION

 

Throughout the autumn of 2025, Ukrainian and European higher education institutions actively continued the implementation of the Erasmus+ international project UkraineDigiTrans: Digital Transformation of Medical Education in Ukraine, aimed at modernizing medical education, advancing digital pedagogy, integrating artificial intelligence, and supporting the professional wellbeing of academic staff.

A key event of this period was the third international Train the Trainers workshop, held on 6–10 October 2025 at Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Finland. The event brought together educators, researchers, and experts from Ukraine, Finland, and Greece to discuss contemporary approaches to teaching and learning in the context of digital transformation. The workshop programme effectively combined theoretical foundations with practical case studies and addressed issues of digital pedagogy, learning design, pedagogical media, psychological resilience and wellbeing of educators, as well as the role of artificial intelligence and digital tools in medical education.

Special attention was given to the use of AI in clinical scenarios, ethical and regulatory aspects of its application, and best practices for integrating digital technologies into the educational process. Participants had the opportunity to explore the Finnish experience in the digital transformation of medical education, modern learning design models, and inter-project collaboration within European initiatives. An important practical component was a visit to the simulation hospital at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, where the potential of simulation-based learning for training future healthcare professionals was demonstrated. The workshop concluded with an inspiring speech by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Finland, H.E. Mr Mykhailo Vydoinyk.

The outcomes of the international training are being actively implemented at Ukrainian universities participating in the project. In particular, following participation in the Finnish Train the Trainers programme, the team of Bukovinian State Medical University launched the third cycle of faculty training at the national level. Within a series of training sessions, lecturers from clinical and theoretical departments explored pedagogical media, scenario-based learning, the use of artificial intelligence in medical pedagogy, and new digital tools. A tangible result of this work was the creation of original videos and podcasts for educational courses, contributing to increased interactivity and motivation to develop modern educational content.

Representatives of Bogomolets National Medical University also played an active role in the project. The knowledge and experience gained were integrated into the course “Professional Competence of a Lecturer: Digital Pedagogy”, which was launched within the framework of UkraineDigiTrans. The course places strong emphasis on developing educators’ psychological resilience, the conscious use of digital technologies, prevention of professional burnout, and the application of modern mobile tools to support mental health. The university’s project-related achievements were also presented at international conferences, professional events, and educational exhibitions.

At Odesa National Medical University, a series of thematic seminars was organized within UkraineDigiTrans during the 2024–2025 academic year to enhance faculty digital competencies. The seminar topics covered the transformation of teaching and learning in the 21st century, the creation of pedagogical media, the use of interactive digital tools, ethical aspects of digital education, and cybersecurity in healthcare. A separate cycle was dedicated to artificial intelligence, ranging from general principles and ethics of use to legal regulation, international and national guidelines, and hands-on work with AI tools.

Ivan Franko National University of Lviv also actively contributed to the project’s implementation. University representatives participated in the international workshop in Finland and subsequently organized their own training module focused on the digital transformation of higher education. The programme included online lectures on course design, podcast creation, the use of feedback and reflective interviews, as well as practical aspects of applying artificial intelligence in the educational process. Another important milestone was the presentation of UkraineDigiTrans during the Erasmus+ Information Day, which highlighted the importance of international partnership and high-quality project preparation.

Overall, the UkraineDigiTrans project convincingly demonstrates that the combination of international cooperation, digital innovation, and attention to educators’ wellbeing is a key factor in the sustainable development of medical education in Ukraine. The integration of project outcomes into the educational programmes of Ukrainian universities creates a solid foundation for training competitive professionals and for building a modern educational environment capable of effectively responding to contemporary challenges.

 

#UkraineDigiTrans

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Digital transformation of education: NMU summed up the results of the UkrDigiTrans project training series

The final reporting interview of participants in the innovative Erasmus+ educational project “UkrDigiTrans” was held at the Bogomolets National Medical University. Teachers from various departments shared their impressions of the training, the results of implementing digital tools in the educational process, and plans for further digitalization of training for students and doctors.

The UkrDigiTrans project, within the framework of the comprehensive Erasmus+ program of the European Union, became an important platform for improving the qualifications of the NMU teaching staff. The program consisted of three intensive blocks of “Peer Trainers” training aimed at mastering modern digital solutions, tools, pedagogical methods, and integrating the latest technologies into the daily work of a teacher.

New competencies and European experience: during the interview, participants noted the high level of organisation and the relevance of the training content. In particular, Assistant Professor in the Department of Descriptive and Clinical Anatomy Andriy Yanchyshyn emphasised that such measures are necessary to support NMU’s status as a leader in medical education. He focused on the importance of the structuring of the received materials and their practical value for each teacher.

Acting Head of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Valeriy Shadrin drew attention to the study of best European practices. Of particular interest were the methods for integrating artificial intelligence into educational programs and the implementation of a student-oriented approach.

From theory to practice: Associate Professor of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Natalya Kyrytsia, who completed all three trainings, noted that the trainings exceeded her expectations.

«I received real practical tools that I am already implementing in my activities. Thanks to the experience of the trainers, I learned how to make the student not a passive listener, but an active participant in the process», – she shared.

Senior lecturer of the Department of Pharmacology Anna Gorbach noted a significant increase in the level of mastery of digital technologies. According to her, the use of interactive platforms and visualisation helps students better understand complex clinical cases and the mechanisms of action of drugs.

Creative approach and individual trajectory: Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Olena Hnatko expressed gratitude to the organisers for creating a “new world” of digital opportunities. She emphasised the importance of adapting the teacher to the requirements of modernity and noted the project mentors’ individual approach.

«This course showed that a team united by a common goal can unleash the creative potential of everyone. New tools allow you to create a living learning environment where students clearly understand their tasks», –  the professor concluded.

All surveyed participants unanimously spoke in favour of the need to conduct such trainings regularly. The knowledge gained from Bloom’s taxonomy, the creation of microcourses, the use of pedagogical media, the application of artificial intelligence, interactive questionnaires, and simulation learning will serve as the foundation for the further digital transformation of teachers’ skills in NMU departments. The UkrDigiTrans project has once again proven that it is never too late to learn, and that the synergy of experience and digital innovations is the key to high-quality training for future doctors.

#UkraineDigiTrans 

 

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BOGOMOLETS NATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY COMPLETED THE 3RD TRAINING CYCLE WITHIN THE ERASMUS+ KA2 UKRAINEDIGITRANS PROJECT

From 19.11.2025 to 04.12.2025 – a series of training sessions was held at Bogomolets National Medical University as part of the “Peer Trainers” educational program, aimed at developing modern digital pedagogical culture, strengthening professional competencies of university educators, and implementing innovative teaching approaches.

The team of trainers included: Oksana Vygovska, MD, Dean of the Medical Faculty №3, Professor of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases; Ievgeniia Burlaka, MD, Professor of the Department of Pediatrics №4; Inna Kucherenko, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Educational and Methodological Work, Licensing and Accreditation, Associate Professor of the Department of Medical and Biological Physics and Informatics, Associate Professor of the Department of Medical and Biological Physics and Informatics; Lesia Lymar,  Doctor of Pedagogics, Associate Professor, Director of Academic Continuous Education Center; and Anna Blahaya, PhD in Medicine, Associate Professor of the Department of Hygiene and Ecology.

The training sessions were designed based on the principles of interactivity, practical orientation, and collaboration. Participants worked in groups, shared experiences, completed hands-on tasks, and created their own educational products.

Within the program, participants explored key areas of modern digital pedagogy:

  • Principles of peer-learning and digital pedagogy: the role of mutual learning, professional support, and pedagogical skill development.
  • Design and adaptation of educational content: course structure, requirements for electronic resources, and instructional design.
  • Blended and distance learning: methods to enhance student engagement, digital services for communication and feedback.
  • Multimedia solutions in education: creation of interactive presentations, videos, infographics, and learning modules.
  • Modern assessment tools: formative assessment, online testing, and the use of platforms for creating tasks and rubrics.
  • Development of individual educational projects: participants began creating prototypes of future courses and learning modules.

After completing the training cycle, instructors:

  • updated their teaching approaches in accordance with modern educational standards;
  • mastered effective digital tools for developing educational materials;
  • improved their skills in structuring and presenting learning content;
  • expanded their abilities to organize interactive and blended learning formats;
  • initiated the creation of course prototypes to be further refined and implemented into the educational process;
  • joined the university community of pedagogical innovators.

Upon successful completion of the program, all participants received certificates of completion, confirming their acquisition of digital pedagogy fundamentals and their active involvement in developing a modern educational environment at NMU. The awarding of certificates marked the culmination of intensive work and recognized the educators’ professional growth, motivation, and readiness to introduce innovations into the teaching process.

The “Peer Trainers” program is an important step toward building a network of pedagogical leaders within the university – educators capable of promoting modern teaching practices and supporting colleagues throughout the digital transformation process. The high engagement of participants and the quality of their completed projects testify to the academic community’s readiness for sustainable and systemic changes aimed at modernizing medical education in Ukraine.

 

#UkraineDigiTrans