DTLab UTFORSK Partnership Program

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

The Digital Twin Lab (DTLab) for International Biomedical Laboratory Science (BLS) Education project is a four-year project funded by the 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 a digital twin lab (DTLab) in lab courses, increasing student engagement in aquaculture and biomedical subjects, and strengthening the connection between theory and practice.

The project is hosted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and partnered with Nankai University (Tianjin, China), Federal University of Paraná (Paraná, Brazil), and the University of New Hampshire (Durham, USA).

Highlights

• Promote mobility of students and university staff to expand networks and enhance study quality.
• Establish a common DTLab-based learning platform as a sustainable model for BLS education.
• Increase students' motivation and competence through designing, developing, using, and evaluating DTLab systems across multiple learning programs, including clinical lab practice.
• Integrate education, research, and innovation by developing DTLab-based learning approaches.
• Strengthen links with future careers by connecting biomedical laboratory science (BLS) education with international clinical practice.
• Follow-up and disseminate research results through publications, conferences, and seminars on DTLab’s educational impact.

For the Chinese version of this page, please refer to 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 São Paulo, Brazil
• University of New Hampshire, USA
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) - Lead partner organization

The Department of Biological Sciences (IBA) and the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IBF) focus on pedagogical teaching methods, student-active learning, and e-learning. Efforts are being made to simulate and digitize laboratories. IBA has used a virtual lab for BLS students and recently developed "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 a leading actor in Norway, focuses on digitalization, ship intelligence, and human interaction in demanding operations such as the SFI MOVE project, Digital Ocean Space Center project, and KPN Digital Twinship.

Departments

• Department of Biological Sciences Ålesund
• 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 at Nankai University follows a “Student-centered medical education” strategy and has introduced new teaching forms. The Basic Medical Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center established a virtual simulation platform for microbiology and anatomy education.

Federal University of Paraná (Paraná, Brazil)

The Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) plays an active role in socio-economic development through education and community engagement. UFPR will host exchange students from Norway’s aquaculture program.

• Department of Animal Physiology
• Department of Aquaculture

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

The School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering is UNH’s first interdisciplinary school, addressing complex ocean and coastal challenges through integrated education and research. It serves as a hub for marine science and ocean engineering teaching and research across the university.