IDEAL Summer Schools

The IDEAL annual Summer Schools provide undergraduate and postgraduate health students with an advanced global health perspective on infectious diseases. The program focuses on public and population health, offering participants a comprehensive understanding of the global challenges posed by infectious diseases.

This initiative is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle infectious diseases, while also preparing them for future careers in various public health sectors, including epidemiology, vaccinology, health policy, and communication.

Program Objectives:

• Career Pathways in Public Health: The IDEAL Summer Schools aim to broaden students’ individual knowledge and expose them to public health-related career options, such as epidemiology, vaccinology, public health policy, health decision-making, health literacy, and communication.

• Interprofessional Collaboration: A key feature of the IDEAL Summer Schools is fostering collaboration between students of different health backgrounds. The program emphasizes practical implementation through role plays, problem-based learning, debates, hackathons, and round-table discussions.

• Innovative, Case-Based Learning: The program is based on the ‘IDEAL-brand’ of engaging, interactive teaching, addressing core topics such as:

  • Epidemiology and pandemic preparedness
  • Diagnostic and therapeutic stewardship
  • Non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical interventions (with a special focus on vaccination policies)
  • Public health communication, trust-building, and health promotion The courses are designed for both medical and paramedical students (e.g., pharmacists, nurses).

The IDEAL Summer Schools complement existing curricula in partner countries and work in conjunction with the IDEALITER advanced courses. These advanced courses focus on clinical practice and patient care in infectious diseases.

Program Details:

• Next Session: 25-29 August, 2025, in Antwerp
• The courses are taught in English by an international team of instructors from five out of the six partner institutions. They follow a practical approach with simulation games, clinical cases, and round-table discussions, encouraging exchange of practices and experiences among students and faculty.

Target Audience & Prerequisites:

• Target Audience: 24 medical students, currently in their 3rd to 5th year of study, from across Europe.

• Selection Criteria:

  • Strong motivation and academic performance
  • Proficiency in English
  • Completion of the undergraduate Infectious Diseases and Microbiology curriculum.

In addition to the core infectious disease content, the summer school focuses on critical public health issues, including:

• Antibiotic stewardship
• Basics of infectious disease epidemiology
• Vaccinology
• Pandemic preparedness
• Communication strategies for trust-building and health promotion

The IDEAL Summer Schools provide a unique opportunity to gain practical insights into global health challenges, engage in interprofessional collaboration, and strengthen professional bonds with peers and trainers from across Europe.