Towards a strategic concept for innovative learning programmes and tools in the Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure (MIRRI)

Abstract

The MIRRI EU-FP7 project builds on 30+ microbial domain resource centres (mBRCs) and aims to establish a pan-European coordinated research infrastructure providing microbiological services, facilitating access to high quality microorganisms, their derivatives and associated data for research, development and application. One of the main goals of MIRRI is to design an integrated long-term capacity-building strategy for mBRCs, which can be included in their education, continuing professional development and training programmes. This involves the design of innovative electronically supported learning processes and tools that reduce training costs whilst providing tailored network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge. A wide gap was detected between the current training offered by mBRCs within MIRRI and the high and increasing demands and needs of our customers, especially those in the private sector. The current offer on training is still fragmented and largely dominated by classic content types and delivery. Not only does MIRRI need to revise and adapt mBRCs training contents, but also their delivery, their cost-efficiency and advertising to improve visibility. Both e-learning and b-learning tools are thus highly desirable to improve training offered within MIRRI. We build on surveys, literature reviews and the results of the EMbaRC project to design a conceptual strategy for quality and efficient training that would also be more in tune with the needs of our customers. This abstract is presented on behalf of the MIRRI Consortium.