The UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, in partnership with a consortium of leading academic institutions, research centres, and industry stakeholders, is proud to announce the launch of the Sustainable Healthcare with Digital Health Data Competence (SUSA) project, led by the University of Oulu, Finland. This transformative initiative aims to address the urgent need for advanced digital skills in healthcare, equipping professionals to navigate a rapidly digitising landscape and leverage data to foster sustainable healthcare solutions.

With a budget of €12.4 million, SUSA unites 12 higher education institutions across nine European countries. The initiative is set to revamp and integrate 46 bachelor's and master’s degree programmes, complemented by 16 modular learning opportunities for lifelong education. Collectively, these offerings aim to produce 6,558 graduates and upskill 660 professionals, equipping them with the specialised digital competencies essential for advancing healthcare practices across Europe.

"This is a pivotal moment for European healthcare education," reflects Professor Minna Isomursu, SUSA’s project leader and Professor at the University of Oulu. "Through SUSA, we are creating a workforce capable of harnessing digital health data to revolutionise patient care, improve efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable healthcare system. By integrating cutting-edge technology and interdisciplinary collaboration into education, we are not just preparing students for the future — we are equipping them to shape it."

Building a Digital-Era Education Model

SUSA addresses critical gaps in digital healthcare competencies by embedding innovative content on data, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), sustainability, regulation, and global health into the participating universities’ curricula. This interdisciplinary approach equips students with practical, real-world skills tailored to contemporary healthcare needs.

To ensure flexibility, the project also offers lifelong learning modules aimed at healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their digital skills. These modules are designed to accommodate diverse career paths, enabling medical professionals, care providers, and technical staff to integrate advanced digital tools into their work, improve employability, and support career progression.

A key aspect of the SUSA project is its collaboration with stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem, including hospitals, research institutes, and technology providers. This ensures students gain invaluable practical experience and exposure to real-world challenges.

"Healthcare is evolving rapidly, and so should its education system," adds Professor Isomursu. "The integration of academic knowledge with industry expertise ensures our graduates are not only skilled but also prepared to lead the transformation of healthcare practices globally."

Supporting a Sustainable Future

Funded by the Digital Europe Programme, SUSA aligns with key European Union initiatives, such as the European Green Deal and Digital Decade objectives, promoting sustainable healthcare through advanced education. By training a new generation of professionals proficient in data-driven decision-making, the project supports long-term policy objectives, including reducing environmental impact, improving resource efficiency, and enhancing patient outcomes.

As SUSA launches, its inaugural cohort of students and professionals will embark on this transformative educational journey. Feedback from participants and ecosystem partners will guide ongoing improvements, ensuring the programmes remain relevant in the face of evolving technological advancements.

"This launch signifies the beginning of a bold journey to transform the European healthcare landscape," says Professor Isomursu. "Through the SUSA Project, we are demonstrating the power of collaboration and education to drive meaningful change in healthcare systems worldwide."

Pan-European Collaboration for Big Goals

SUSA is a pan-European initiative that brings together 12 higher education institutions, including:

• University of Oulu (Finland), University College Dublin (UCD, Ireland), University of Limerick (UL, Ireland), Trinity College Dublin (TCD, Ireland), Lapland University of Applied Sciences (LUAS, Finland), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH, Greece), University of Seville (USE, Spain), University of Łódź (ULODZ, Poland), Middle East Technical University (METU, Türkiye), Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STUBA, Slovakia), Erasmus University Medical Center (EMC, Netherlands), and University of Zagreb(UNIZG-FER, Croatia).

The consortium also includes five SMEs—National Children’s Hospital (Ireland), Success Clinic (Finland), Gnomon Informatics (Greece), iCognitus (Portugal), and Skillnet (Ireland)—alongside key organisations such as the Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI, Croatia), DigitalEurope, and DigitalSME.

SUSA’s Four Core Objectives

1. Co-design and deliver an advanced digital skills education programme integrated into 20 bachelor’s and 26 master’s degree programmes, complemented by 16 standalone modules.
2. Attract qualified teaching staff and students to participate in SUSA’s innovative educational offerings.
3. Upgrade digital infrastructures to enable interoperability across higher education institutions delivering the SUSA curriculum.
4. Ensure the programme’s sustainability through strategic partnerships and integration with existing or emerging initiatives.

UCD SUSA Project Team: Dr Cailbhe Doherty, Assoc Prof Tara Cusack, Prof Brian Caulfield