The Eye Clinic at the Goethe University in Frankfurt has been
awarded the Hessian Higher Education Prize for Teaching Excellence for
integration of simulation-based training in the Medicine degree course.
The prize of the state of Hessen and the Hertie Foundation for exceptional teaching work worth 150,000 Euros was yesterday awarded to the working group led by Prof. Dr. Frank Koch from the Clinic of Ophthalmology at the Goethe University in Frankfurt by the Minister for Science Eva Kühne-Hörmann (CDU) at a ceremony in Biebrich Palace in Wiesbaden.
Since 2003, the team around Prof. Koch has been driving forward the integration of virtual reality simulators in the teaching environment. The group, which has now been recognized with the Higher Education Prize for Teaching Excellence, provides advice on implementation of hardware as well as simulation modeling. It also plays an important part in the process for selection of suitable teaching content, assessment of relevant evaluation parameters and development of simulation-specific teaching methods. Training of diagnostic and surgical procedures for eye diseases using Eyesi simulators is now a fixed part of the curriculum at the Eye Clinic in Frankfurt.
Looking further ahead, Prof. Koch explains: “Eyesi systems are designed as an open platform, so that teaching content can be linked on an interdisciplinary and international basis. In the future, it is planned to realize a combined diagnostic and therapeutic training system, so that students can train the complete clinical diagnostic and therapeutic path in an integrated simulation environment.” He continues: “We are delighted to receive the award from the state of Hessen and the Hertie Foundation as it is recognition of our work and also strengthens our resolve and motivation to continue on our chosen path.”
The Hessian Higher Education Prize has been awarded by the Ministry of Science and the Hertie Foundation since 2007. It has a total value of 375,000 Euros. The prize is intended to support development and implementation of innovative teaching concepts, examination methods and consulting services. The state of Hessen and the Hertie Foundation are therefore sending out a clear signal about the importance of teaching quality in higher education. This is based on the premise that high-quality and successful education of future academics is of outstanding social importance. It is also an important distinguishing feature in competition between German states and universities for the best scientific students.