1st FEBS “Ambassadors on Education” Meeting

Prague (Czechia), 8–9 April 2016

Kindly hosted by Prof. Tomáš Zima, Rector of Charles University Prague and former member of FEBS Education Committee

As agreed during the FEBS Education Committee meeting on 2015 and confirmed by FEBS Treasury, FEBS Executive Committee and FEBS Council, we are inaugurating the FEBS Ambassadors on Education Meeting in 2016.

This is a significant event, involving FEBS Constituent Societies, to create a platform at the Europen level to brain-storm on educational issues across Europe. The discussions were on what can be done in order to meet the mission and vision of FEBS on educational issues —to promote education throughout Europe.

Venue: Karolinum, Ovocny trh 3, 116 36 Prague 1, Czechia. (see map below)

Reports

Abridged report, published in FEBS News 2016 (2) p. 15

Extended report and feedback from participants

Agenda

1st part of Meeting

Friday 8 April 2016, afternoon (13:00 to 18:00). Patriotic Hall, Karolinum (see photo below)

13:00-14:00
- Introductions. Expectations from the meeting and revision of the agenda.
14:00-14:30
- Aim and objectives of the meeting.
  Misson, vision and activities of FEBS Education Committee. (Gül Güner)
14:30-14:45
- FEBS Education Platform. (Angel Herráez)
14:45-15:00
- Discussion on the platform and the potential education journal
15:00-15:30
- Coffe break (foyer of Patriotic Hall)
15:30-16:30
- Reports from Ambassadors on what involvement their Constituent Societies have with education activities.
  - Prof. Rolf Heumann, Germany — Activities of the GBM working group on Study Course in Molecular Life Science.
  - Prof. Aylin Sepici Dinçel, Turkey — Educational activities of the Turkish Society of Biochemistry.
  - Discussion on the proposal of Prof. Pawel Pomorski, Poland — the status and future of journals on biochemistry
  - Prof. Diana Petkova, Bulgaria — Educational activities of the Bulgarian Society of Biochemistry.
  - Open floor for other contributions and discussion.
16:30-17:00
- Key knowledge and skills for molecular life sciences graduates: Results from FEBS Workshops (Cambridge, Paris, Belgrade, Debrecen) (Frank Micheangeli)
17:00-18:00
- Small group discussions (divide into four groups)
  1. Key knowledge and skills expected from a molecular life scientist
  2. Innovative education methods and new technologies
  3. Training the trainers (workshops / courses / meetings)
  4. FEBS research and education portal - FEBS education platform - Education journal
18:00-18:30
- General findings of small group discussions.

Friday 8 April 2016, evening (18:30 to 20:30). Karolinum Reception Rooms.

Dinner with the Ambassadors
What do Constituent Societies expect from FEBS on educational issues?
What could be the role of the Ambassadors-on-Education network?
- Panel discussion
- + 5-6 areas to discuss on the following day.

2nd part of Meeting

Saturday 9 April 2016, morning (9:00 to 12:00 noon). Patriotic Hall, Karolinum

9:00-9:30
- Overview of possible aims of the "Ambassadors on Education" network and possible EU funding
9:30-10:30
Small group sessions (all four groups to discuss all three questions)

What do you wish to achieve through this education network?
How can we achieve these aims?
What routes and approaches can we use to gain EU funding?

10:30-11:00
- Coffe break (foyer of Patriotic Hall)
11:00-11:30
- General findings of the small group discussions
11:30-12:00
- Overall conclusions of the Ambassadors' Meeting. Feedback. Future events?
12:00-13:00
- Lunch (Café U Rotlevů; see photo below)