The aim of this project is to develop novel DTLab-based methods for BLS education outside the classroom and for aquaculture education across geographic locations.

DTLab UTFORSK partnership program was launched in order to strengthen international collaboration between Norwegian institutions and partners in China, Brazil and the USA.

Project overview

Digital Twin Lab (DTLab) for International Biomedical Laboratory Science (BLS) Education project is a four-years project, which is funded by Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. The project aims to enhance the quality of higher education in Norway, China and Brazil by
developing and implementing of digital twin lab (DTLab) in lab courses, increasing the degree of activity for students in aquaculture and biomedical subjects and thus strengthening the connection between theory and practice. The project is hosted by Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and in partnership with Nankai University (Tianjin, China), BR-Federal University of Paranà (Parana Brazil) and University of New Hampshire (Durham, USA).

Highlights 

Promote mobility of students and University staff which will help build and expand their networks and enhance study quality in the relevant study programs.

• Establish a common DTLab-based learning platform as a sustainable approach for Norwegian and international BLS education
• Increase students' motivation and competence through designing, developing, using and evaluation of DTLab system in several learning program including practice in the clinical lab.
• Contribute to integration between education and research and innovation and contribute by developing DTLab -based learning,
• Strengthen link with students' future working life by connecting the education of biomedical laboratory scientists'(BLS) with practice in the international clinical lab.
• Follow-up and disseminate the research project through scientific publications, conference contributions and seminars about the effect of DTLab for increased learning outcomes in higher education.

For the Chinese version of this page, refer to the Nankai University’s website

Steering committee

- Project leader
- Daily manager
- Brazil – Project coordinator in Brazil

Partners

• NTNU - Department of Biological Sciences Ålesund (IBA)
• NTNU - Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IBF)
• Nankai University, China
• Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
• University of New Hampshire USA

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

- Lead partner organization

The Department of Biological Sciences, Ålesund (IBA) and the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IBF). The IBA and IBF's educational strategy has adopted "increased focus on pedagogical teaching methods, student active learning methods and e-learning" and those further efforts will be made to simulate and digitize the laboratories. IBA has used a virtual lab for the students in the BLS education (Figure2 in attachment), and developed recently "Flipped Lab room in the subject Bl221412" and "Norwegian-Brazilian partnership program on sustainable aquaculture systems". The Department of Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering (IHB) at NTNU, as the leading actor in Norway, focuses on digitalization, ship intelligence and human interaction in demanding operations, such as SFI MOVE project, Digital Ocean Space Center project and KPN Digital Twinship.

• Department of Biological Sciences Alesund
• Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science 
• Department of Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering

Department of School of Medicine, Nankai University (Tianjin, China)

The School of Medicine, Nankai University's educational strategy is "Student-centered medical education"and has introduced many new teaching forms. The Basic Medical Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of the School of Medicine set up a virtual simulation experimental teaching platform for virtual simulation experimental teaching projects in microbiology and anatomy education.

Federal University of Paranà (Parana Brazil)

The Federal University of Parana (UFPR) plays an active role in the socio-economic development through access to higher education and activities carried out by the academic community in favor of the society of Parana and Brazil. UFPR will take responsibility for hosting the exchanging students of aquaculture from Norway.

• Department of Animal Physiology
• Department of Aquauclture 

School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, University of New Hampshire (Durham, USA)

The School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering is the University of New Hampshire's first interdisciplinary school, designed to address today's highly complex ocean and coastal challenges through integrated graduate education, research and engagement. As such, it serves as an interdisciplinary nexus for marine science and ocean engineering teaching and research across the University.