The Faculty of Public Health “Prof. Tzecomir Vodenitcharov, MD, DSc” in the Medical University - Sofia (MUS), together with the academic institutions Thomas More Kempen (Belgium), the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), the IT services company Theofanis Alexandridis Kai Sia EE (Greece) and the Hellenic Pediatric Nursing Association (Greece), participates as a collaborating institution in the Erasmus+ research program “Extended Reality Learning Framework For Pediatric Nursing Students – PeDXR” with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece) as coordinator.

This project aims to develop, implement and validate a learning framework that incorporates Extended Reality (XR) technologies, for pediatric nursing students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), both nationally and internationally. The development of the Extended Reality Learning Framework (PeDXR Learning Framework) will offer a structured approach to organizing and delivering pediatric nursing education. By utilizing pioneering XR technologies, this framework will enhance educational practices and contribute to improving the quality of care provided.

The PeDXR learning framework will combine good practices and educational programs in pediatric nursing from Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs), with XR tools. It will integrate, comprehensive educational programs, learning objectives, teaching methods, assessments, and a dedicated Extended Reality Application (XRA) to enhance the education of pediatric nursing students using XR technology.

Pediatric nursing care is a challenge, due to the characteristics and needs of pediatric patients and their families, and therefore the training of pediatric nursing students in a real clinical environment presents difficulties. Using the XRA, pediatric nursing students will be able to step into virtual hospital rooms, where they will interact with virtual patients and medical equipment. They will be able to experience scenarios that mirror reality, in various child healthcare situations, before entering the professional field. 

This will allow them to develop a deeper understanding of the needs of the children and families. The simulations within the XRA will additionally allow students to develop their skills in a safe and controlled environment and build confidence in handling consultations. They can also practice critical cases such as dealing with an emergency in a child, without putting real patients at risk.

The XRA will serve as a comprehensive space where pediatric nursing students can access a wide range of resources and tools to enhance their learning experience. Additionally, XRA will facilitate collaborative learning, as students will be able to collaborate in a virtual environment to solve problems and develop skills.

The developed PeDXR learning framework will further enable transnational collaboration and knowledge exchange in paediatric nursing education among the participating European HEI, and additionally provide opportunity to other interested European HEIs to adopt the PeDXR learning framework in their educational programs, to expand their knowledge and expertise in the field of pediatric nursing.

• Project ID: 2023-1-EL01-KA220-HED-000161808
• Project duration: 01.12.2023 – 30.11.2026
• Source of funding: Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships Total project funding: EUR 250,000
• Project website: https://pedxr.com/

Medical University - Sofia, Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, MD" announces a competition for the selection of 2 lecturers for the implementation of Erasmus mobility for the purpose of training or teaching at the University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania, for the following provisional periods 14-18 July 2025, 21-25 July 2025.

The criteria for the selection of academic staff for participation in Erasmus mobility, according to the Internal rules for the administration of the Erasmus+ program at Medical University - Sofia, are:

1. Presentation of a signed training or teaching agreement from the host university.
2. Document for proficiency in the working language - minimum level B2. For the Erasmus competition, certificates/diplomas from completed secondary education with intensive study of a foreign language or other documents certifying language proficiency, including long-term stay abroad, mother tongue, etc., are recognized.
3. To be a full-time or part-time teacher at MU-Sofia in the relevant agreed field of knowledge.
4. To work actively with incoming and outgoing Erasmus students.
5. To assist in the expansion of partnerships under the ERASMUS + program. Availability of prior contacts, participation in joint projects with teachers from the partner institution will be considered as an advantage.
6. Other things being equal, preference in selection will be given to persons with fewer opportunities, such as persons with various disabilities, health problems, etc., as defined in the Erasmus+ Program Guide.
7. To initiate and participate in the development of projects / development of study programs under the ERASMUS + program.
8. To give priority to members of the academic staff who contribute to the internationalization of the university, increase the project activity and assist in the realization of incoming and outgoing student mobilities.

Required documents for application:

• Professional CV - European format in English.
• Document/evidence of proficiency in the working language. The working language of the Erasmus program is English.
• Three titles of topics they would present to students and faculty at the host university as departure is possible, provided the host institution approves the topics offered.

The described documents must be submitted to the Erasmus office of the Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, PhD", Medical University - Sofia, in ISUL, on the 5th floor, Office, or to the following email: erasmus@foz.mu-sofia.bg, no later than 07.07.2025. The interview with the candidates will be held on 08.07.2025, at the Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, MD", ISUL, floor 5, at 11.00 a.m.

For additional information write to email: erasmus@foz.mu-sofia.bg.

Medical University - Sofia, Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, MD" announces a competition for the selection of one lecturer for the implementation of Erasmus mobility for the purpose of teaching at TSMU International School of Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia for the following provisional periods 5-9 March 2025; 17 – 21 March 2025, 24 – 28 March 2025.

The criteria for the selection of academic staff for participation in Erasmus mobility, according to the Internal rules for the administration of the Erasmus+ program at Medical University - Sofia, are:

1. Submission of a teaching agreement signed by the host university.
2. Document for proficiency in the working language - minimum level B2. For the Erasmus competition, certificates/diplomas from completed secondary education with intensive study of a foreign language or other documents certifying language proficiency, including long-term stay abroad, mother tongue, etc., are recognized.
3. To be a full-time or part-time teacher at MU-Sofia in the relevant agreed field of knowledge.
4. To work actively with incoming and outgoing Erasmus students.
5. To assist in expanding partnerships under the ERASMUS + program.
6. Prior contacts and participation in joint projects with lecturers from the partner institution will be considered an advantage.
7. Other things being equal, preference in selection will be given to persons with fewer opportunities, such as persons with various disabilities, health problems, etc., as defined in the Erasmus+ Program Guide.
8. To initiate and participate in the development of projects / development of study programs under the ERASMUS + program.
9. To give preference to members of the academic staff who contribute to the internationalization of the university, increase project activity and assist in the realization of incoming and outgoing student mobilities.

Required documents for application:

• Professional CV - European format in English.
• Document/evidence of proficiency in the working language. The working language of
• Erasmus program is English.
• Application with three titles of topics that the teacher will present
• to the students and teachers at the host university, as
• departure is possible, provided that the receiving institution
• approved the proposed topics.

The described documents must be submitted to the Erasmus office of the Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, PhD", Medical University - Sofia, in ISUL, on the 5th floor, Office, or to the following email: erasmus@foz.mu-sofia.bg, no later than 04.02.2025. The interview with the candidates will be held on 05.02.2025, at the Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, MD", ISUL, floor 5, at 11.00 a.m.

For additional information write to email: erasmus@foz.mu-sofia.bg.

Competition for teachers – Durban, South Africa

Medical University - Sofia, Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, MD" announces a competition for the selection of two lecturers for the implementation of Erasmus mobility for the purpose of teaching and one lecturer for the purpose of training at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, for the following provisional period February - May 2025.

The criteria for the selection of academic staff for participation in Erasmus mobility, according to the Internal rules for the administration of the Erasmus+ program at Medical University - Sofia, are:

1. Presentation of a teaching/training agreement signed by the host university.

2. Document proving proficiency in the working language – minimum level B2. For the Erasmus competition, certificates/diplomas of completed secondary education with intensive study of a foreign language or other documents certifying proficiency in the language, including a prolonged stay abroad, mother tongue, etc. are recognized.

3. Be a full-time or part-time lecturer at MU-Sofia in the respective agreed field of knowledge.

4. To work actively with incoming and outgoing Erasmus students.

5. To assist in expanding partnerships under the ERASMUS + program. The presence of preliminary contacts, participation in joint projects with lecturers from the partner institution will be considered an advantage.

6. Other things being equal, preference in the selection process will be given to persons with fewer opportunities, such as persons with various disabilities, health problems, etc., as defined in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide.

7. To initiate and participate in the development of projects / development of curricula under the ERASMUS + program.

8. Give priority to members of the academic staff who contribute to the internationalization of the university, increase project activity and assist in the implementation of incoming and outgoing student mobilities.

Required documents for application:

• Professional CV - European format in English.
• Document/evidence of proficiency in the working language. The working language of the Erasmus program is English.
• Three titles of topics they would present to students and faculty at the host university as departure is possible, provided the host institution approves the topics offered.

The described documents must be submitted to the Erasmus office of the Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, PhD", Medical University - Sofia, in ISUL, on the 5th floor, Office, or to the following email: erasmus@foz.mu-sofia.bg, no later than 30.01.2025. The interview with the candidates will be held on

31.01.2025, at the Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, MD", ISUL, floor 5, from 11.00 a.m.

For additional information write to email: erasmus@foz.mu-sofia.bg.