ENPHE, the European Network of Physiotherapy in Higher Education, is a European network of physiotherapy educational institutions which aims to advance physiotherapy training and promote the convergence of the relevant curricula in Europe. Lecturers and students regularly meet in Working Groups to work together towards achieving these goals. Each year there are two events: the work-intensive Spring Seminar and the ENPHE Conference in autumn, where the results are presented and new input provided. The seminars and conferences are alternately organised by one of the partner universities of the ENPHE network.
The following future-oriented topics of the Working Groups will be presented at the 21st ENPHE Conference from 15 to 17 September 2016 at FH JOANNEUM:
EU Directives (ESCO): This Working Group seeks to describe the roles and competencies of physiotherapists and coordinates these with the WCPT (World Confederation of Physiotherapy).
Internationalisation: The focus is on questions such as how internationalisation is practised and implemented at the individual universities, e.g. through tandem programmes (students learn foreign languages or German from each other) or cultural orientation programmes prior to undertaking an internship abroad.
Practice-based Learning: The aim here is to find solutions that make it easier for students to find an internship at another European partner institution.
Facilitation of Learning: The focus here is on the use of different learning tools such as blended learning, game-based learning and new learning environments for students.
Research: This Working Group presents the Master and Bachelor Thesis Awards for students according to defined criteria and develops guidelines for carrying out international research projects at a student level.
**Keynote lectures by international speakers ** provide food for thought. The topics include “Emerging Technologies in Education – from Past to Future” by Martin Ebner, “Cultural Competency in Physiotherapy Training: Opportunities and Challenges” by Carola Eyber and “The Changing Landscape of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education” by Marina Ranga.
The event is complemented by a diverse social programme to support collaboration and exchange between European physiotherapy educational institutions.