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DISCERN-DSS Training at UMY Strengthens Educators’ Capacity in Digital Scenario-Based Learning

Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) hosted the DISCERN-DSS training in September–October 2025, bringing together Indonesian and European partners to strengthen educators’ capacity in Digital Scenario-Based Learning (D-SBL). The activity was part of the project’s broader effort to enhance digital soft skills education in Indonesian health higher education institutions.

DISCERN-DSS, or Digitally enhanced SCenario basEd leaRNing for Digital Soft Skills, is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education project involving partners from Indonesia and Europe. The project aims to support digital health education by equipping educators, technologists, and content experts with the knowledge and skills to design and implement digital learning scenarios.

The training at UMY focused on the principles and practice of D-SBL, including how to design meaningful learning scenarios, align scenarios with learning outcomes, integrate digital soft skills into health education, and develop interactive learning resources using a co-creative approach. Participants were introduced to the pedagogical foundations of scenario-based learning and explored how digital tools can support active, reflective, and problem-based learning.

The activity involved participants from Indonesian partner country universities, including UGM, UNS, and UMY, together with European partners who provided expertise in medical education, digital learning, scenario development, and project implementation. Through interactive sessions, group discussions, and hands-on activities, participants worked together to translate digital soft skills concepts into practical educational designs.

Beyond formal training sessions, the event also provided opportunities for collaboration and relationship-building among project partners. The social dinner created an informal space for participants to exchange experiences, strengthen institutional connections, and build a shared sense of commitment to the project. In addition, co-creation activities allowed participants to begin shaping ideas for Digital Scenario-Based Learning resources that are relevant to local health education contexts.

The training was also accompanied by project and finance meetings, ensuring that academic activities were aligned with project management, reporting, and implementation requirements. These meetings helped partners coordinate the next stages of the project, including local training, scenario development, and future collaboration across institutions.

Through this training, DISCERN-DSS strengthened the foundation for developing digital soft skills education in Indonesia. The activity at UMY marked an important step in preparing educators and project teams to design, review, and implement D-SBL resources that can support future-ready health professionals in the digital era.

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Indonesian and European Partners Join DISCERN-DSS Training at UMY to Strengthen Digital Soft Skills Education

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participated in the DISCERN-DSS training held at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) from September to October 2025. The training gathered Indonesian and European partner institutions to strengthen capacity in developing digital soft skills through Digital Scenario-Based Learning (D-SBL).

The activity was part of the DISCERN-DSS project, an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education initiative that supports innovation in health professions education. Through this project, partner institutions work together to develop learning approaches that prepare future health professionals for the demands of digitally transformed healthcare systems.

UGM joined the training alongside other Indonesian partner universities, including Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) and UMY. European partner institutions also contributed to the activity by sharing expertise in digital learning, medical education, scenario-based learning, assessment, and professional development.

For UGM, the training provided an important opportunity to deepen institutional understanding of how digital soft skills can be embedded into health education. These skills include communication, collaboration, ethical reasoning, adaptability, professionalism, evidence-informed decision-making, and responsible use of digital health technologies.

Throughout the training, participants discussed the principles and practices of Digital Scenario-Based Learning. The sessions introduced how realistic scenarios can be designed to help students analyze problems, make decisions, reflect on consequences, and connect learning with real-world digital health challenges.

The training also emphasized co-creation as a central approach in the DISCERN-DSS project. Participants from different institutions worked collaboratively to explore possible scenario topics, align learning activities with curriculum needs, and consider how digital learning resources could be adapted to the Indonesian health education context.

In addition to academic sessions, the activity at UMY strengthened collaboration among project partners. Discussions, group work, and informal interactions allowed Indonesian and European participants to exchange perspectives and build stronger relationships for future project implementation.

UGM’s participation in the training reflects its commitment to educational transformation and international collaboration. The knowledge gained from the activity will support UGM’s contribution to the next phases of DISCERN-DSS, including local training, scenario co-creation, review, and the development of D-SBL resources.

Through this collaboration, UGM continues to support the broader goal of strengthening digital health education in Indonesia. The DISCERN-DSS project is expected to contribute to the preparation of health graduates who are digitally competent, ethical, adaptive, collaborative, and ready to respond to the evolving needs of healthcare.

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Longitudinal Block – Learning Skills and Digital Technology Competencies Alignment for DISCERN DSS

On Monday, March 10, 2025, a key coordination meeting took place in the Meeting Room at Grha Wiyata, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, UGM. The gathering focused on evaluating the Longitudinal Block – Learning Skills and discussing the advancement of digital technology competencies for students. Faculty members and stakeholders came together with a shared commitment to enhancing the educational experience and ensuring students are well-equipped to meet the demands of today’s healthcare environment.

The main goal of the meeting was to conduct a comprehensive review of the 2020 Curriculum, specifically the Longitudinal Block – Learning Skills. This evaluation is essential for assessing how well the current curriculum addresses the evolving needs of both students and the healthcare sector. By collecting feedback from diverse stakeholders, the meeting aimed to identify the curriculum’s strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring it remains relevant and effective in developing critical skills.

In addition, the meeting served as a platform to discuss Work Package 2 (WP2) of the DISCERN DSS project, which focuses on updating the needs analysis and preparatory activities. WP2 is a foundational element of the project, encompassing all preparatory work, including refining the needs analysis that will guide the selection of key topics for the project’s core activities. These topics will be aligned with European Union digital soft skills frameworks, such as the DIGICOMP framework, to support recognition and validation.

Discussions highlighted the growing importance of integrating digital technology competencies into the curriculum. As healthcare increasingly depends on digital tools, it is vital for students to develop these skills to succeed in their future careers. Evaluating the Longitudinal Block – Learning Skills helps ensure the curriculum effectively prepares students for a technology-driven healthcare landscape.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for faculty members to share their experiences and insights on curriculum implementation. This collaborative exchange fosters a strong sense of community among educators and encourages the sharing of best practices, contributing to a more resilient and effective educational framework.

Moving forward, the UGM team will focus on applying the insights and recommendations gathered during the meeting. The next steps include refining the identified topics based on the updated needs analysis to ensure alignment with the DISCERN DSS project’s objectives. This alignment is crucial for developing a curriculum that meets student needs while adhering to international standards for digital competencies.

Integrating digital soft skills into the curriculum will be a top priority in the coming months. Faculty will collaborate to create instructional materials and training programs that effectively teach these skills. By drawing on the expertise of educators and industry professionals, the project aims to deliver a comprehensive learning experience that prepares students for the complexities of modern healthcare.

Additionally, the upcoming Training of Trainers program, scheduled for 2025 in Yogyakarta, will play a vital role in building educators’ capacity to teach digital competencies. This program will equip faculty with the tools and knowledge needed to seamlessly incorporate digital soft skills into their teaching, ensuring students receive high-quality, relevant education.

In summary, the coordination meeting marked a significant step forward in enhancing the educational framework for health students. By focusing on evaluating the Longitudinal Block – Learning Skills and advancing digital technology competencies, the project is making important progress toward preparing future healthcare professionals for the challenges of a rapidly changing medical landscape. The collaborative efforts of all stakeholders promise to create a more dynamic and effective learning environment, benefiting both students and the healthcare sector as a whole.

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DISCERN-DSS Kickoff Meeting Marks UGM’s First Step in Advancing Digital Soft Skills Education

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) took part in the DISCERN-DSS kickoff meeting held in Belgium in February 2025. The meeting marked the beginning of a collaborative international project designed to strengthen digital soft skills education in Indonesian health higher education institutions.

Representing UGM, Prof. Lutfan Lazuardi and Wika Hartanti joined partners from Indonesia and Europe to discuss the direction, implementation plan, and expected contribution of the project. UGM’s participation reflects the university’s commitment to supporting innovation in health professions education, particularly in response to the growing role of digital technology in healthcare.

DISCERN-DSS, or Digitally enhanced Scenario-Based Learning for Digital Soft Skills, is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education project. The project brings together Indonesian universities and European institutions to develop learning approaches that help students build digital soft skills through co-creation, digital scenarios, and Digital Scenario-Based Learning (D-SBL).

The kickoff meeting provided an important space for partners to align their understanding of the project’s goals and implementation strategy. Discussions covered institutional roles, work package coordination, training activities, curriculum mapping, project management, and the development of digital learning resources for health education.

For UGM, DISCERN-DSS is closely aligned with the need to prepare future health professionals who are able to work effectively in digitally transformed healthcare systems. Beyond technical ability, students need to develop communication, collaboration, ethical reasoning, adaptability, professionalism, and decision-making skills when using digital health tools and services.

Through Digital Scenario-Based Learning, students will be introduced to realistic situations related to digital medicine, telemedicine, and technology-supported healthcare. This approach allows learners to explore complex problems, make choices, receive feedback, and reflect on their decisions in a safe educational environment.

The project also strengthens UGM’s collaboration with other Indonesian partner universities, including Universitas Sebelas Maret and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, as well as European partners with expertise in medical education, digital learning, and professional development. This partnership is expected to support the development of learning resources that are both internationally informed and relevant to the Indonesian context.

Following the kickoff meeting, UGM will continue to contribute to the next stages of DISCERN-DSS through training preparation, curriculum review, local coordination, and the co-creation of D-SBL resources. These activities will support the broader transformation of digital soft skills education in Indonesia.

UGM’s involvement in the DISCERN-DSS kickoff meeting represents an important first step in building institutional capacity for future-ready health education. Through this project, UGM aims to contribute to the development of health graduates who are digitally competent, ethically grounded, adaptive, and prepared to face the challenges of modern healthcare.

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UGM Participates in DISCERN-DSS Kickoff Meeting in Belgium to Advance Digital Soft Skills in Health Education

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) took part in the kickoff meeting of the DISCERN-DSS project held in Belgium in February 2025. The meeting marked the beginning of a collaborative initiative between Indonesian and European partner institutions to strengthen digital soft skills education in the field of health higher education.

UGM was represented by Prof. Lutfan Lazuardi and Wika Hartanti. Their participation reflected UGM’s commitment to supporting educational innovation, particularly in preparing future health professionals to respond to the growing digital transformation of healthcare.

DISCERN-DSS, which stands for Digitally enhanced Scenario-Based Learning for Digital Soft Skills, is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education project. The project aims to improve digital health education in Indonesia and the wider Asian region by promoting co-creative learning practices and Digital Scenario-Based Learning (D-SBL).

The kickoff meeting brought together partners from Indonesia and Europe to discuss the overall direction of the project, institutional roles, implementation timeline, training agenda, and expected outputs. It also provided an important opportunity for all partners to develop a shared understanding of how D-SBL can be used to support the teaching and learning of digital soft skills in health education.

For UGM, the meeting served as a strategic starting point to explore how digital soft skills can be integrated more meaningfully into curriculum and learning activities. These skills include communication, collaboration, ethical reasoning, adaptability, professionalism, and critical decision-making in digital health contexts.

Through discussions with partner institutions, UGM also gained broader insights into the use of interactive scenarios and virtual patient-based learning as tools to support active and reflective learning. This approach is expected to help students engage with real-world digital health challenges in a structured and safe learning environment.

Following the kickoff meeting, UGM will continue to contribute to the next stages of DISCERN-DSS, including curriculum mapping, training preparation, local coordination, and the co-creation of Digital Scenario-Based Learning resources. These activities will support the project’s broader goal of developing learning resources that are relevant to Indonesian health education needs.

UGM’s involvement in DISCERN-DSS strengthens its role in international collaboration and health education transformation. Through this project, UGM aims to contribute to the development of future health professionals who are not only digitally literate, but also ethical, adaptive, collaborative, and ready to work in digitally enabled healthcare systems.

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DISCERN-DSS Kickoff Meeting Opens Pathway for Digital Soft Skills Transformation in Indonesia

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participated in the kickoff meeting of the DISCERN-DSS project in Belgium in February 2025. The meeting marked the initial step of an international collaboration aimed at strengthening digital soft skills education in Indonesian health higher education institutions.

UGM joined the meeting as one of the Indonesian partner universities, together with Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY). The project also involves European partners with expertise in digital learning, medical education, scenario-based learning, and professional education development.

The UGM delegation, represented by Prof. Lutfan Lazuardi and Wika Hartanti, took part in discussions on the project’s direction, implementation strategy, institutional roles, training agenda, and expected outcomes. Their participation reflects UGM’s commitment to contributing to health education innovation and digital transformation through international partnership.

DISCERN-DSS, or Digitally enhanced Scenario-Based Learning for Digital Soft Skills, is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education project. The project seeks to strengthen the capacity of Indonesian health higher education institutions by integrating digital soft skills into teaching and learning through co-creation and Digital Scenario-Based Learning (D-SBL).

The kickoff meeting provided an opportunity for all partners to build a shared understanding of the project’s objectives. Discussions covered curriculum mapping, capacity-building activities, development of digital learning scenarios, project coordination, and the future implementation of D-SBL resources in partner institutions.

For UGM, the project is highly relevant to the need for preparing future health professionals who can adapt to rapidly changing digital health environments. Digital transformation in healthcare requires not only technical competence, but also communication, collaboration, ethical reasoning, adaptability, professionalism, and sound decision-making in digital contexts.

Through D-SBL, learners will be able to engage with realistic scenarios that reflect challenges in digital medicine, telemedicine, and technology-supported health services. This learning approach allows students to analyze situations, make decisions, and reflect on the consequences of their choices in a safe and structured educational setting.

UGM’s involvement in DISCERN-DSS also strengthens its role in supporting curriculum innovation and international academic collaboration. After the kickoff meeting, UGM will continue to contribute to curriculum review, training preparation, local coordination, and the co-creation of digital learning resources with partner institutions.

The kickoff meeting in Belgium therefore represents more than the formal beginning of a project. For UGM, it is an important starting point for building institutional capacity, expanding global collaboration, and supporting the transformation of digital soft skills education in Indonesia.

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From Yogyakarta to Belgium: UGM Delegates Join the DISCERN-DSS Kickoff Meeting

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participated in the DISCERN-DSS kickoff meeting held in Belgium in February 2025. The meeting brought together partner institutions from Indonesia and Europe to initiate a joint effort in strengthening digital soft skills education for health professions.

Representing UGM, Prof. Lutfan Lazuardi and Wika Hartanti attended the meeting as part of the Indonesian delegation. Their participation marked UGM’s active engagement in an international collaboration aimed at supporting educational transformation in response to the rapid development of digital health.

DISCERN-DSS, which stands for Digitally enhanced Scenario-Based Learning for Digital Soft Skills, is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education project. The project focuses on strengthening the capacity of Indonesian health higher education institutions to design and implement digital learning resources through co-creative practices and Digital Scenario-Based Learning (D-SBL).

The kickoff meeting became an important platform for all consortium members to align their understanding of the project’s objectives, implementation strategy, work packages, and expected outcomes. Partners also discussed training activities, curriculum mapping, project management, and the future development of digital learning scenarios.

For UGM, the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange ideas with European and Indonesian partners on how digital soft skills can be more effectively integrated into health education. These skills include communication, collaboration, ethical reasoning, professionalism, adaptability, and critical decision-making in digital health settings.

Through the DISCERN-DSS project, UGM seeks to contribute to the development of learning approaches that are not only technology-supported, but also contextual and learner-centered. The use of digital scenarios and virtual patient-based learning is expected to help students engage with real-world health problems and reflect on decisions in a safe learning environment.

The collaboration also connects UGM with other Indonesian partner universities, including Universitas Sebelas Maret and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, as well as European partners with strong experience in digital learning, medical education, and professional accreditation.

After the kickoff meeting, UGM will continue its role in the next phases of the project, including curriculum review, training preparation, institutional coordination, and the co-creation of Digital Scenario-Based Learning resources. These activities will support the project’s goal of developing relevant digital soft skills learning resources for Indonesian health education.

UGM’s participation in the DISCERN-DSS kickoff meeting reflects its commitment to international collaboration and educational innovation. From Yogyakarta to Belgium, this involvement represents an important step in preparing future health professionals who are ethical, adaptive, collaborative, and ready to contribute to digitally enabled healthcare systems.

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DISCERN-DSS Kick Off Meeting

The digital transformation in healthcare is more than just a trend—it’s an essential evolution. As technology advances, the education of future healthcare professionals must evolve alongside it. In this context, the Kickoff Meeting for the Digitally Enhanced Scenario-Based Learning for Digital Soft Skills (DISCERN DSS) project was held from February 11-13, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium. This event marked a key milestone in the collaborative effort to strengthen digital skills within health education.

The main purpose of the Kickoff Meeting was to unite consortium members from several institutions, including Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), Karolinska Institutet (KI), and the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). The meeting focused on aligning the consortium’s vision, setting clear objectives, and planning the implementation of the DISCERN DSS project over the next three years (2025-2027). Funded by the European Commission under the Capacity Building in the Field of Higher Education (ERASMUS-EDU-2024-CBHE) program, the project aims to equip medical students with vital digital soft skills through an innovative scenario-based learning approach.

Representing the Department of Health Policy and Management were Lutfan Lazuardi, Head of the Department for Project Management, and Wika Hartanti, an expert in curriculum development. Their involvement is critical—Lutfan’s leadership will help ensure smooth project execution, while Wika’s expertise will support the integration of digital soft skills into the curriculum.

The project also includes collaboration with the School of Medicine at Universitas Gadjah Mada, emphasizing a shared commitment to advancing medical education through innovative teaching methods and the incorporation of essential digital competencies. This partnership highlights the dedication of all involved institutions to prepare healthcare professionals for the demands of a rapidly changing medical environment.

During the meeting, participants engaged in productive discussions to establish a unified framework for the project. Key outcomes included:

  • Alignment of Goals: Consortium members worked together to ensure a shared understanding of the project’s aims and expected results.
  • Strategic Planning: A comprehensive plan was developed to integrate digital soft skills training into medical curricula effectively.
  • Training of Trainers: Plans were made for a Training of Trainers program scheduled in Yogyakarta in 2025, designed to equip educators with the skills and knowledge needed to teach digital competencies to medical students.

The Kickoff Meeting was a crucial step that set the foundation for a transformative journey in medical education. The collective commitment of all participating institutions reflects a strong dedication to preparing future healthcare professionals for the challenges of a digital era. As the DISCERN DSS project advances, we anticipate a significant positive impact on medical education and the development of digital skills among students. This initiative represents a major stride toward modernizing health education and ensuring that future healthcare providers are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of a technology-driven medical landscape.

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DISCERN-DSS Officially Begins: UGM Strengthens Global Partnership in Digital Scenario-Based Learning

Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) marked its participation in the official start of the DISCERN-DSS project through a kickoff meeting held in Belgium in February 2025. The meeting served as an important moment for partner institutions from Indonesia and Europe to consolidate their shared agenda in advancing digital soft skills education through Digital Scenario-Based Learning (D-SBL).

As one of the Indonesian partner universities, UGM joined the consortium together with Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY). The European partners involved in the project include Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Karolinska Institutet, and the European Union of Medical Specialists. This collaboration reflects a joint effort to respond to the growing need for health professionals who are prepared to work in digitally transformed healthcare systems.

UGM was represented by Prof. Lutfan Lazuardi and Wika Hartanti. Their involvement in the kickoff meeting demonstrated UGM’s active role in supporting international academic collaboration, particularly in the field of digital health education, curriculum innovation, and technology-enhanced learning.

DISCERN-DSS, which stands for Digitally enhanced Scenario-Based Learning for Digital Soft Skills, is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education project. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of Indonesian health higher education institutions by integrating digital soft skills into learning through co-creative methods and interactive digital scenarios.

During the kickoff meeting, partners discussed the overall project direction, division of roles, work package implementation, training plans, project coordination, and expected outputs. The meeting also helped establish a common understanding of how D-SBL can be developed and adapted to support health professions education in Indonesia.

For UGM, the project opens an opportunity to further strengthen learning approaches that are contextual, collaborative, and responsive to the changing landscape of healthcare. Through D-SBL, students can engage with realistic digital health situations, make decisions, reflect on consequences, and develop essential soft skills such as communication, collaboration, ethical reasoning, adaptability, professionalism, and critical thinking.

The project will also involve the development of digital learning resources, including scenario-based and virtual patient-oriented materials. These resources are expected to support more active and reflective learning experiences, particularly in topics related to digital medicine and telemedicine.

Following the kickoff meeting, UGM will continue its contribution through curriculum mapping, training preparation, local coordination, and co-creation activities with partner institutions. These stages will support the project’s target of developing learning resources that are pedagogically strong and relevant to Indonesian health education needs.

Through its participation in DISCERN-DSS, UGM reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international collaboration and advancing innovation in health professions education. The project is expected to contribute to the preparation of future health professionals who are digitally competent, ethically grounded, and ready to respond to complex challenges in modern healthcare.

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