Euro-Mediterranean Postgraduate Programme in Organ Donation and Transplantation

EMPODaT is a project funded by the European Commission through the Tempus programme and managed by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). The project aims to develop and implement a Postgraduate Programme in Organ Donation and Transplantation, in line with the guidelines of the European Higher Education Area.

The programme is based on a blended learning methodology and establishes a common academic framework involving universities from four European countries and three beneficiary countries of the European Neighbourhood Instrument, namely Morocco, Egypt and Lebanon.

This may result in the development of safe and quality transplant systems in the Mediterranean area as the training of healthcare professionals is proved to have a positive impact upon organ donation (see ETPOD article).

Target group and purpose

EMPODaT targets healthcare professionals who are working or preparing to work in the field of organ donation and transplantation. The project aims to lay the foundations of a Euro-Mediterranean Model for Training Specialists in Organ Donation and Transplantation, contributing to the development of safe and high-quality transplant systems in the Mediterranean region.

Project objectives

  • To design a Postgraduate Programme for Specialists in Organ Donation and Transplantation, conceived as blended learning and aligned with the European Higher Education Area.

  • To develop a common curriculum and shared academic certification (ECTS) adapted to the needs of the participating countries.

  • To create academic and scientific content and tools, including an e-learning platform integrated into the three-cycle Bologna framework.

  • To train a group of local academic staff, who will act as lecturers and programme coordinators in their respective countries.

  • To establish an advisory network in Organ Donation and Transplantation, involving universities and other partner institutions, to support programme transfer and sustainability.

Academic programme

The postgraduate programme has a total workload of 750 hours, equivalent to 30 ECTS credits, and combines:

  • Online modules on organ donation and transplantation.

  • Local face-to-face seminars.

  • Specific hospital-based training.

  • International face-to-face evaluation seminars.

Methodology

The project is implemented in three phases:
design, based on a diagnostic study;
development, focused on curriculum and module definition;
and implementation and follow-up, supported by a quality control, monitoring and evaluation system.

Upon completion of the programme, participants are awarded the corresponding academic certification, validated by the participating higher education institutions.