Vote now: Innovative VR education project nominated for national Impact Prize 2025
Regional academic collaboration has led to national recognition: a VR-based education initiative developed by Maastricht University, Zuyd University and Erasmus MC is among just eight projects nominated for the prestigious Impact Prize 2025. The UM community can help it win by voting from 1 September.
Your vote counts
The project has been nominated for the prestigious Impact Prize 2025, and winning depends on the public vote. The Maastricht University community is warmly invited to show its support. From 1 September, you can cast your vote via the official webpage.
Regional collaboration
Nynke de Jong, from the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at Maastricht University, contributed to the development of the programme for Erasmus MC. She helped ensure that the VR-based curriculum combined scientific rigour, educational depth and practical usability.
The project introduces the use of virtual reality (VR) glasses in health professions education. Students work with realistic 360-degree hospital scenarios to practise sensitive conversations about proactive care planning in a controlled environment. Early evaluations suggest that this method increases students’ confidence and helps prepare them for the professional and emotional challenges they may face in practice.
The collaboration started after experts from Erasmus MC read an article by Nynke de Jong and colleagues about VR education in proactive care planning. This led them to contact colleagues at Maastricht University and Zuyd University, resulting in the joint development of the VR programme.
The Impact Prize is regarded as highly prestigious within the Dutch health and social care sector. Organised by the Actie Leer Netwerk and RegioPlus, it highlights projects that improve working conditions, deliver innovative care solutions and create societal impact. With only eight projects nationwide nominated, the recognition emphasises the innovative character of the initiative.
The initiative shows the value of regional collaboration, the link between research and practice, and the role of VR in training future healthcare professionals.
Watch the video pitch (in Dutch)
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