The University of Montpellier Joins CHARM-EU: Innovative Teaching Methods in the Service of Research

The University of Montpellier is a member of the European CHARM-EU alliance, alongside eight other prestigious institutions in Europe. The goal is to collaborate on developing joint degree programs and research initiatives among partner universities. Have you heard of the CHARM Master’s program? That’s just one example among many!

Another innovative educational initiative that fosters the link between education and research deserves attention: the “Research Hubs – Tackling Health Challenges in Internationally Linked Research Hubs” module. This is a TU into the curriculum of all departments and universities within the alliance that wish to offer it. This TU open to first- and second-year master’s students working in international and interdisciplinary groups on a concrete health-related challenge.

The module begins with a multidisciplinary conference bringing together all those involved in a societal challenge—from the worlds of research, healthcare, the nonprofit sector, and the student community—who introduce the year’s theme. Students, organized into mixed groups (by discipline, university, and country), then develop a proposed solution in collaboration with partner laboratories (Hubs) and volunteer scientists (Experts) from the alliance’s member universities. The module concludes with a day of presentations and discussions with those who have been involved since the project’s inception.

An internship is then available for those who wish to continue the experience and develop their project at one of our international partner labs.

The first edition, held in 2024, brought together students from the Master’s program in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Faculty of Pharmacy), the Master’s programs in Chemistry and Materials for Health and Cancer Biology (Faculty of Science), as well as the Master’s programs in Drug Innovation and Biotechnology at Utrecht University.

In light of the very positive feedback from participants—who highlighted the richness of the international experience and the practical approach to research—a second edition is planned for September through December 2025, with the goal of expanding the network of partners.

Based on Challenge-Based Learning, this module fosters connections between research, clinical practice, and society. It is open to all interested master’s programs.

Contacts:

Sonia Cantel: sonia.cantel@umontpellier.fr
Gilles Subra: gilles.subra@umontpellier.fr