Besides tackling their disease, patients and experts experience other disease-related challenges. They face challenges that can be technical, medical, nutritional, or a combination of all. In order to tackle these challenges, we place the patient in the middle.   

Together students from the medical research master SUMMA, master programmes of Biomedical sciences (UU), master programmes of the TU Eindhoven, and master programmes of WUR including Nutrition and Health (WUR), work in groups of 4-5 students to find solutions to tackle the challenge patients face. Combining the competencies from different students will create high potential patient centered solutions.  
 
This course aims to develop interdisciplinary competences by cross-boundary (research) collaboration between students with a medical, biomedical, nutritional and engineering background.  

Practical information

• This challenge runs from the 12th of February, 2026 until the 31st of March, 2026
• The study load consists of 3 EC or 5 EC (extra assignment)
• This course is for Master students
• The course is in English
• Online and offline
• There are five meetings: 
  February 12^th, 2026 (UMC Utrecht)
  February 24^th, 2026 (UU)
  March 12th, 2026 (TU/e)
  March 19^th, 2026 (UU)
  March 31st, 2026 (WUR)

Teaching methods 

You will participate in interdisciplinary teamwork. Together with your team, you present the final outcome with a poster presentation. In addition, you will work on your personal development and write a reflection paper about this. Note: this course is not taught within the university system, you need to plan it yourself.

Registration 

TU/e	Osiris code 8GM10 (2,5 EC) or code 8GM15 (5 EC) same course with additional assignment.	From January 22nd until February 9th 2026.
WUR	Osiris code YNH60803 (3 EC) and optionally code ELS68806 (6 EC)	From 16th April 2025 until 18th January 2026.
UU	Osiris code BMB529019 (3EC) or code BMB539019 (5EC) same course with additional assignment.	From November 15th until January 4th 2026.

IMPORTANT: WUR and TU/e students are also required to sign in via EduXchange.
Registration is open from November 3rd 2025 until November 21st 2025 and from January 19 until 15 February 2026.