PRESENTATION OF THE ERASMUS MUNDUS SPACEMED PROGRAMME AT THE NOORDUNG CENTRE

Presentation of the Erasmus Mundus SpaceMed Programme at the Noordung Centre

At the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School (IPS), the prestigious Erasmus Mundus SpaceMed programme is successfully delivering a European master’s degree in space medicine, significantly strengthening cooperation between Slovenia, France, and Germany and linking education, science, and industry in the field of space.

On this occasion, a presentation of the SpaceMed study programme was held at the Noordung Centre in Vitanje, organised by the Slovenian Space Office in cooperation with the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, the Embassy of France in Slovenia, and the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI). The event highlighted the strategic importance of international cooperation in space activities and education. The programme leader, Prof. Dr. Igor Mekjavić, emphasised that SpaceMed attracts highly motivated students from all over the world and makes an important contribution to the international visibility of both IPS and the Jožef Stefan Institute.

The SpaceMed (Space Medicine) study programme is a two-year full-time Erasmus Mundus master’s programme, co-funded by the European Commission. It is implemented by the IPS in cooperation with Université de Caen Normandie (France) and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Germany). The programme offers a comprehensively designed interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary study of the effects of extreme environments—particularly spaceflight—on the human body. Students complete the first semester in France, the second in Germany, and the third semester is currently taking place in Slovenia, at IPS and in the research laboratories of the JSI. The SpaceMed programme currently hosts 12 students from various countries in Slovenia, who participate in laboratory and field research related to space physiology and medicine as part of their studies. Students also gain insight into the practical aspects of astronaut training for space missions, in collaboration with national and international research institutions.

The event at the Noordung Centre in Vitanje underlined Slovenia’s role as an active and visible partner in the European space domain. State Secretary Matevž Frangež highlighted that cooperation with France in the field of space is of strategic importance for Slovenia’s scientific and economic development, enabling Slovenian researchers and companies to participate in leading European programmes. The French Ambassador to Slovenia, Fabienne Runyo, also emphasised the importance of joint educational and research initiatives such as SpaceMed in strengthening the European space strategy and strategic autonomy.

Participants at the Vitanje event agreed that programmes such as Erasmus Mundus SpaceMed confirm the scientific excellence of the participating institutions and make a significant contribution to strengthening the European space ecosystem and developing the knowledge and competences needed for future technologies.

We would like to thank Marjan Verč for the outstanding photographs from the event.

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