In early May 2025, students of the ManagiDiTH Master’s Programme came together in person for a week-long Summer School in Lisbon, Portugal. As a joint degree programme delivered collaboratively by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece), Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon (Portugal) and Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Finland), this event was a cornerstone of the student experience: a rare opportunity for the full international cohort to meet, face-to-face, collaborate closely, and deepen their shared learning experience.
The Summer School was designed to strengthen what the programme stands for: interdisciplinary learning, real-world problem-solving, and cross-cultural collaboration. This enriching week brought together colleagues from Croatia, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
A highlight from the week was a captivating keynote on day one by Prof. Christopher James from the University of Warwick, who offered a compelling look into the future of digital health. His session explored topics ranging from brain-computer interfaces to tele-neurology. “I’m jealous of what ManagiDiTH is doing,” he admitted with a smile, applauding the programme’s multidisciplinary vision for health innovation.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in a dynamic programme that combined expert-led lectures, interactive workshops, and team-based industry challenges that were all designed to deepen understanding of the opportunities and complexities of digital innovation in healthcare. From ethical AI to cross-border health data sharing, discussions pushed students to consider healthcare innovation from multiple angles, bridging technology, policy, design, and patient-centered thinking.
Beyond the academic content, the week included a cultural and social programme that allowed students to build connections in a more informal setting. These moments of cross-cultural exchange were just as valuable as the classroom sessions, fostering the kind of trust and camaraderie necessary for future international cooperation.
As one participant reflected, “Meeting my peers face-to-face and working side by side brought our shared vision to life in a way no screen can replace.”
The week also served as a valuable feedback moment. Students shared how much they appreciated the opportunity to meet not just each other, but also their instructors and industry mentors in person. Several described the week as their first real glimpse into the breadth of possibilities that digital innovation in healthcare can offer.
Above all, the Summer School reminded us of the power of physical mobility in a digital world. It showed how students from different systems, cultures, and disciplines can come together to co-create solutions for one of the most vital sectors of our time: health care.
Find detailed day-by-day highlights on our LinkedIn page, and find the full Summer School 2025 gallery below.
