METAHEFO. Activities

METAHEFO Concludes Three Years of Educational Innovation with Its Closing Day at the University of Málaga

May 11, 2026

After three years of work, international collaboration, and educational innovation, the Erasmus+ METAHEFO project held its Closing Day at the University of Málaga’s Faculty of Health Sciences, bringing together faculty, researchers, students, and professionals interested in the future of health education.
The event served to present the consortium’s key achievements and demonstrate how immersive technologies can transform teaching and learning processes in the health sciences. More than 130 participants from 18 institutions and over 10 European countries had the opportunity to experience firsthand the resources and methodologies developed during the project.
The program included hands-on workshops on motion capture, virtual reality with Spatial, recording 360° environments for immersive learning, creating virtual scenarios for health education, and a presentation of METAHEFO’s key results and impacts.
The event highlighted the potential of virtual reality and immersive technologies to provide students with realistic, safe, and highly engaging clinical experiences. It also provided an opportunity to share implementation experiences from various European universities and discuss the future of educational innovation in higher education.

The event marked the official conclusion of a project that has contributed to the creation of virtual clinical scenarios, teacher training programs, new technological infrastructure, and innovative educational experiences that will continue to be used beyond the scope of Erasmus+ funding.
At METAHEFO, we would like to thank all the partner institutions, collaborators, faculty, and students who have been part of this journey. Projects come to an end, but their impact lives on in the classroom and among future generations of healthcare professionals.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/metahefo/reel/DYMbFk-ILuL/

The University of Málaga Highlights METAHEFO as an Example of Educational Innovation and Digital Transformation

May 6, 7, and 8, 2026

Project Closing Ceremony with Over 130 Participants https://www.uma.es/relaciones-internacionales/noticias/acto-clausura-del-proyectos-internacionales-erasmus-metahefo/  On May 8, 2026, the University of Málaga’s Faculty of Health Sciences hosted the closing ceremony for the European Erasmus+ project METAHEFO (Metaverse for Health and Foot Education), managed by the Office of the Vice Rector for Mobility and International Projects.  This is an international initiative focused on transforming health sciences education through immersive technologies and virtual reality. The event brought together more than 130 attendees from 18 European institutions in over 10 countries, establishing itself as an international benchmark for educational innovation and immersive learning in the healthcare field.

Link to the event: https://www.uma.es/relaciones-internacionales/noticias/la-universidad-de-malaga-acoge-el-enpodhe-meeting-2026-y-la-jornada-de-clausura-del-proyecto-erasmus-metahefo-proyecto-internacional/

 The METAHEFO International BIP at the University of Málaga

May 4, 2026

The University of Málaga has welcomed the students participating in the international program METAHEFO – Immersive Foot Health Education: Virtual Reality for Assessment and Care, developed as part of a Blended Intensive Program (BIP) funded by Erasmus+.
The first day was dedicated to welcoming the participants, presenting the academic activities, and introducing the program’s objectives. In addition, the students took a guided tour of the Faculty of Health Sciences facilities, where they were able to explore the classrooms, laboratories, and technological resources they will use throughout the week.
This program brings together students and faculty from various European universities with the goal of exploring the potential of virtual reality, immersive technologies, and educational innovation as applied to the assessment and care of foot health.
The week will include hands-on workshops, immersive learning activities, international academic exchange sessions, and experiences related to emerging technologies that are transforming the training of healthcare professionals.
Through this initiative, METAHEFO continues to strengthen international mobility, collaboration among European institutions, and the incorporation of innovative methodologies in higher education. 

BIP Week https://www.instagram.com/p/DX7ogvGiPnY/?img_index=1  Immersive Foot Health Education: Virtual Reality for Assessment and Care as part of the BIP (Blended Intensive Program). A total of 22 students from three universities: Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, and Vinci Haute École.

Virtual Reality Training for UCAM Faculty

March 22, 2026

The Catholic University of San Antonio in Murcia (UCAM) hosted a new training session as part of the Erasmus+ METAHEFO project, focused on the use and implementation of virtual reality in university education.
During the session, participating faculty members had the opportunity to learn about the virtual tools and scenarios developed as part of the project, exploring their practical application in teaching and the possibilities they offer for improving students’ learning experience. The training covered topics related to the use of virtual reality devices, the integration of immersive resources into the classroom, and strategies for incorporating these technologies into different educational contexts.
This activity is part of the faculty training program promoted by METAHEFO, which aims to facilitate the adoption of innovative methodologies and promote the use of immersive environments in the training of health sciences professionals.
With this initiative, UCAM joins the partner institutions that are already incorporating the project’s results into their academic programs, contributing to a higher education system that is more innovative, participatory, and adapted to the challenges of the future.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVY17ViiIN5/

The implementation of METAHEFO is moving forward in Lisbon with resources accessible to all students

March 18, 2026

The Portuguese Red Cross School of Health continues to incorporate the resources developed by the Erasmus+ METAHEFO project into its teaching activities, consolidating the use of immersive technologies as part of the teaching and learning process in health sciences.
One of the most notable aspects of the materials created in the project is their accessibility. The virtual scenarios can be used not only with virtual reality headsets but also via computers, tablets, and mobile devices, facilitating access to the content regardless of the available technological resources and promoting a more inclusive and flexible education.
However, using these resources through virtual reality adds significant value by providing immersive, safe, and highly realistic environments where students can practice clinical skills, reinforce their knowledge, and improve their confidence in decision-making before facing real-world situations.
With this implementation, METAHEFO continues to demonstrate how technological innovation can help improve the quality of higher education by promoting learning experiences that are more accessible, engaging, and tailored to the needs of tomorrow’s professionals.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWBWEMrAi7d/

Recognition for Educational Innovation: Award for João Martiniano for His Work in Virtual Reality Applied to Healthcare

January 26, 2026

The Erasmus+ METAHEFO project celebrates the recognition received by João Martiniano, who was awarded Second Prize for Best Oral Presentation at the 3rd Graduate Research Conference of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Portuguese Catholic University.
During his presentation, João Martiniano discussed advances in immersive healthcare training using VR360 technology, highlighting the potential of virtual reality as a tool for improving clinical learning and the development of professional competencies. He also presented the experience of implementing the resources developed in the METAHEFO project and the use of virtual reality headsets in teaching at the Portuguese Red Cross School of Health.
This recognition highlights the academic community’s growing interest in immersive learning methodologies and reflects METAHEFO’s commitment to educational innovation, digital transformation, and improving the training of future healthcare professionals.
We at METAHEFO congratulate João on this significant achievement and on his contribution to the international dissemination of the project’s results.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DT95PnriKLS/?img_index=1

Virtual Reality Training for Faculty at the University of Malta

 December 11, 2025

The Erasmus+ METAHEFO project continues to move forward in its final phase with new initiatives aimed at training university faculty in immersive technologies. On this occasion, a virtual reality training workshop was held at the University of Malta, focusing on the integration of virtual environments and clinical simulations into health sciences education.
The activity allowed participants to learn about and experience firsthand the tools developed within the METAHEFO framework, exploring new possibilities for enriching the student learning experience through innovative, interactive, and student-centered methodologies.
The session featured the collaboration of specialists from the University of Murcia, contributing to the exchange of knowledge and the strengthening of cooperation among the project’s partner institutions.
Through initiatives like this, METAHEFO continues to drive the digital transformation of higher education and promote the adoption of emerging technologies that prepare students and faculty for the challenges of future healthcare education.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSH7D8UiKpC/

METAHEFO Promotes the Adoption of Virtual Reality at the Portuguese Red Cross School of Health in Lisbon

June 18, 2025

The Erasmus+ METAHEFO project continues to make progress in incorporating immersive technologies into higher education. On this occasion, the project coordinator visited the Portuguese Red Cross School of Health to begin implementing virtual reality tools in the institution’s educational programs.
During the visit, working meetings and practical demonstrations were held with the aim of integrating the virtual scenarios developed by METAHEFO into health sciences instruction. The team also toured the center’s new technological facilities, which feature spaces specifically designed to support innovative methodologies based on simulation and immersive learning.
This collaboration represents an important step in transferring the project’s results to various European educational contexts, enabling students and faculty to benefit from learning experiences that are more interactive, realistic, and focused on the development of professional competencies.
METAHEFO continues to build an international network committed to educational innovation and the digital transformation of health education in Europe.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLDRCjMtQkd/

Inauguration of the Faculty of Health Sciences’ Advanced Teaching Classroom

June 9, 2025

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Málaga has inaugurated its new Advanced Teaching Classroom, a space designed to promote educational innovation and the incorporation of emerging technologies into university education.
This new environment will enable the development of educational activities based on virtual reality, clinical simulation, and immersive learning, offering students more practical and interactive experiences that are aligned with the educational needs of the future. The facility is part of the university’s institutional commitment to the digital transformation of teaching and complements initiatives developed through international projects such as METAHEFO.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Rector of the University of Málaga, Teodomiro López Navarrete, and the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Noelia Moreno Morales, who were able to see firsthand the classroom’s technological capabilities and its potential to enhance the educational experience for students and faculty.
The launch of this space represents a strategic step toward more innovative, immersive teaching that is aligned with the challenges of 21st-century healthcare education.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKr8ZfhtJOt/?img_index=3

 The University of Málaga Hosts the Annual Meeting of the METAHEFO Project

May 29, 2025

The University of Málaga hosted the annual meeting of the Erasmus+ METAHEFO project, an event that brought together representatives from partner institutions in Finland, Malta, and Murcia to review progress made, coordinate upcoming actions, and strengthen international collaboration among participants.
During the working week, progress on the project’s various work packages was evaluated, experiences regarding the implementation of the developed resources were shared, and future dissemination and sustainability activities were planned. In addition, the first training sessions for faculty at the University of Málaga were held, focusing on the use of virtual scenarios and immersive technologies applied to health sciences education.
These activities allowed participants to experience firsthand the potential of virtual reality and immersive clinical simulations as tools to improve the quality of teaching and promote more active and innovative learning methodologies.
The meeting marked an important step forward in consolidating the project’s results and continuing to move toward a more digital, collaborative, and student-centered higher education.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKPoE89tze4/

 METAHEFO’s Virtual Scenarios Are Integrated into Teaching at the University of Málaga

May 24, 2025

The University of Málaga has begun implementing the virtual scenarios developed as part of the Erasmus+ METAHEFO project in the courses “Orthopodology II” and “Podiatric Pathology.” This initiative represents a significant step forward in incorporating innovative methodologies based on immersive technologies into the education of health sciences students.
Virtual environments allow students to interact with realistic clinical cases, promoting active learning, clinical reasoning, and decision-making in a safe and controlled setting. Thanks to these tools, students can supplement traditional training with educational experiences that are more dynamic, participatory, and closely aligned with professional practice.
The integration of these resources into the university curriculum represents one of METAHEFO’s main objectives: to bring virtual reality and immersive clinical simulations into higher education, improving the quality of teaching and preparing future professionals for the challenges of modern clinical practice.
With this implementation, the University of Málaga reaffirms its commitment to educational innovation and the digital transformation of health education.
First pilot test with students at the University of Málaga.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKBt9DZNoM5/

 METAHEFO Incorporates Motion Capture Technology for Learning Pathological Gait

May 9, 2025

The Erasmus+ METAHEFO project continues to embrace the most innovative technologies to transform education in podiatry and health sciences. Thanks to the use of the Nansense MOCAP motion capture suit, the team has succeeded in recreating pathological gait patterns using highly realistic three-dimensional avatars.
This technology allows for the highly accurate recording and analysis of human movements, facilitating the creation of advanced teaching resources for the study of biomechanical abnormalities and gait disorders. The generated models can be integrated into virtual and immersive environments, offering students the opportunity to observe, analyze, and practice with realistic clinical cases in a safe and controlled setting.
The incorporation of motion capture systems represents another step forward in the digitization of healthcare education, promoting innovative, interactive learning methodologies focused on the development of clinical skills.
METAHEFO continues to explore new tools to bring cutting-edge technology to the training of future healthcare professionals.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJcDTBtNB63/

METAHEFO Brings Virtual Reality Applied to Podiatry to the University of Malta

February 28, 2025

The Erasmus+ METAHEFO project continues to strengthen international collaboration and educational innovation in Europe. On this occasion, the project team visited the University of Malta to share teaching experiences and demonstrate the potential of immersive technologies in training future podiatry professionals.
During the event, students and faculty had the opportunity to explore and work through a virtual reality clinical case focused on the neurological assessment of patients with diabetes. This immersive experience allows for the practice of clinical skills in a safe, interactive, and highly realistic environment, promoting hands-on learning and clinical decision-making.
The initiative highlights how virtual reality can transform health sciences education, offering new opportunities for the development of professional competencies and enhancing the students’ educational experience.
METAHEFO continues to move toward a higher education system that is more innovative, collaborative, and aligned with the needs of the future.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGn3_44ty5E/?img_index=1

 METAHEFO Shares International Teaching Experience at Metropolia University (Helsinki)

February 14, 2025

The METAHEFO team continues to promote innovation and international collaboration in higher education. During an academic visit to Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, project members led a hands-on session focused on big toe nail surgery, covering current techniques and advances in podiatric treatment.
The activity facilitated the exchange of knowledge with students and faculty in a dynamic, international setting, fostering hands-on learning and the development of advanced clinical skills. The excellent participation and interest shown by the students reflect the value of these experiences in enriching the training of future healthcare professionals.
This initiative is part of METAHEFO’s commitment to educational excellence, academic mobility, and knowledge transfer among European institutions.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGDdKSmNwmt/

 METAHEFO Presents Its Progress at the École d’Assas in Paris

 January 30, 2025

The Erasmus+ METAHEFO project was presented at the École d’Assas in Paris, one of France’s leading institutions for training healthcare professionals. The event provided an opportunity to share the project’s main findings and showcase the potential of immersive technologies for teaching and learning in the healthcare field.
During the session, the METAHEFO consortium presented the virtual clinical cases, virtual reality experiences, and educational resources it has developed, fostering the exchange of knowledge among international students and faculty.
This initiative helps strengthen collaboration among European institutions and promotes the adoption of innovative methodologies that foster more practical, interactive, and student-centered training.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFdfjLvOnet/

Promotion and Presentation of the METAHEFO Project at the University of Extremadura

 January 20, 2025

The Erasmus+ METAHEFO project continues to expand its impact in the field of higher education in health sciences. Recently, the project was presented at the University of Extremadura, where its main findings, tools, and experiences related to immersive learning, virtual reality, and virtual clinical simulations were shared.
During the event, faculty and students were able to experience firsthand the resources developed by the international METAHEFO consortium, as well as the opportunities that immersive technologies offer for improving the training of future healthcare professionals.
This event is part of the project’s dissemination and transfer strategy, which aims to promote educational innovation and encourage the adoption of teaching methodologies based on immersive experiences at universities across Europe.

Link to the event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFCt1kCAKLZ/

Media Coverage and UMA Channel Outreach

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ENPODHE 2024.

Project presentation at the ENPODHE meeting, featuring a talk by the project’s principal investigator, with more than 200 people attending in person and more than 300 participating online.