SUMMER SCHOOLS

Environmental Impact on Human Health is an international Blended Intensive Programme, organized by the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Maribor, focused on the complex interactions between the environment and human health. The BIP took place from 8 to 12 September 2025. The program combined online lectures with hands-on fieldwork, laboratory exercises, and collaborative projects, providing students with a comprehensive and interactive learning experience.

During the virtual sessions, participants were introduced to environmental pollutants, air quality, biological risk factors, environmental indicators, and biodiversity monitoring using molecular and digital tools. The in-person component included field visits, forest therapy in Rogla, biomonitoring of the Drava River, laboratory tours at the National Laboratory for Health, Environment and Food (NLZOH), and workshops on data collection and environmental assessment. Students applied practical methods to analyse environmental DNA, assess ecosystem services, and evaluate the impact of environmental changes on human health.

The programme fostered interdisciplinary and international collaboration, with 24 students from eight European countries (Austria, Czechia, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Serbia, and Slovenia) participating. Through group projects, hackathons, and poster presentations, students developed critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills, while gaining hands-on experience in environmental health research.

By the end of the BIP, participants were equipped to connect scientific knowledge with practical solutions, critically assess environmental risks, and promote sustainability and public health awareness in their future professional careers.