This ASPIRE award focuses on Inspirational Approaches to health professions and veterinary medicine education.  It recognises institutional excellence in innovations that address important gaps and can demonstrate impact.  These can also include overcoming economic, cultural, technological, or other barriers that move health professions education forward on a local, national, or international level. 

The subject of the submission may also in part be covered in other ASPIRE award programs (e.g., Curriculum Development, Social Accountability), but here the focus is on innovation and exemplary efforts to overcome contextual difficulties.   

The criteria for excellence in this category involve innovations that are well planned (e.g., based on needs assessments), successfully implemented (e.g., overcoming barriers over an extended period of time), well studied (e.g., with robust program evaluations), and programs that inspire others to consider similar improvements (e.g., through presentations and publications). 

Potential Areas of Excellence 

While it is not possible to predict the areas in which institutions may wish to be recognised for their excellence in innovation, here are some creative examples which could be considered for a submission. Highlight how your initiative is different from what is described in the literature, and/or how you overcame unique challenges resulting from your culture, resources, or institution. 

Patients as educators: The institution has developed a unique approach in which patients play a significant role as educators that goes beyond traditional literature and represents a major success for the programme. 

The learning environment: Special attention is paid to the educational environment that facilitates learning and is supportive of learners’ health and well-being in unique and creative ways.  

Interprofessional education: The education programme has significant elements of interprofessional training, and has creatively overcome the typical challenges of such multi-professional initiatives. 

Educational innovation and research: Staff are encouraged and supported in the scholarship of learning and teaching.  The resulting innovations are fully integrated into the curriculum.  

Learners as peers and future educators: Learners are encouraged to develop an interest in education and acquiring the relevant skills is fully integrated in the curriculum.  They are supported to participate in health profession education courses and conferences. 

International flavour: A school engages in international collaborations related to innovation in education and research. International placements for staff and students are encouraged.  A joint degree with another school may be offered.