Summa College Eindhoven Faculty Visit IBZ

The Benigno Zaccagnini Institute (IBZ), Italy’s leading institution for Optics and Optometry education, continues to expand its international network through the Erasmus+ programme and partnerships with European schools, universities and professional organisations, promoting student and staff mobility and fostering dialogue with the leading educational models in the field of vision care.

On 27 and 28 May, IBZ welcomed a delegation of faculty members from Summa College in Eindhoven (The Netherlands) to its Milan and Bologna campuses for an Erasmus+ Job Shadowing activity aimed at exchanging educational best practices, comparing training models and developing future joint initiatives for both students and teaching staff.

During the visit, Italian and Dutch educators had the opportunity to compare their respective educational systems and professional training pathways, analysing similarities, differences and potential areas of integration. Discussions also focused on the structure of the Italian and Dutch education systems and on the training pathway of vision care professionals, from secondary education through higher education and advanced professional training.

Particular attention was devoted to the professional roles of Opticians and Optometrists across different European countries, exploring differences in regulations, scopes of practice, professional responsibilities and opportunities for career development. Within this framework, participants compared key subject areas in Optics and Optometry, ranging from Anatomy and Optometry to Contact Lens Practice and Ophthalmic Optics, examining educational approaches, technological resources and models for integrating theory, laboratory activities and clinical practice, all of which are essential components in the education of future vision care professionals.

The programme concluded with a working session dedicated to planning future collaborations between the two institutions. Shared objectives include further Erasmus+ activities, international projects, joint initiatives involving faculty members and new mobility opportunities for students. Future developments may also include collaborative activities involving Italian and Dutch students, confirming the intention to establish a long-term and sustainable partnership.

The exchange with Summa College represents a further milestone in the internationalisation strategy that Istituto Zaccagnini has been pursuing for more than a decade through partnerships and projects with European educational institutions, promoting Erasmus+ activities, international mobility, academic exchanges and collaborations dedicated to the education of Opticians and Optometrists. Over the years, this strategy has included collaborations with Aston University in the United Kingdom, SBIE in Athens, Greece, participation in the Italian-German ConnActions network and, more recently, the development of Erasmus+ projects focused on student and staff mobility.

The international experiences and collaborations developed over the years not only create opportunities for mobility and exchange, but also contribute directly to the evolution of the Institute’s educational programmes. The new three-year course in Clinical and Vision Sciences has been designed to educate a new generation of Opticians and Optometrists with advanced professional competencies defined by internationally recognised professional bodies, including the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO Syllabus) and the American Optometric Association (AOA Guidelines). The programme is aligned with the European ISCO-08/ESCO 2267 classification for Optometrists and Ophthalmic Opticians, the European Union standard for professional competence recognition and mobility across Member States. It also incorporates Erasmus+ opportunities, international academic projects and collaborations with European educational institutions, with the aim of preparing professionals capable of operating successfully in an increasingly international environment.

For the IBZ, the international dimension represents a strategic component of education. Engaging with leading European experiences enables students to acquire up-to-date competencies, a broader understanding of the profession and a preparation aligned with the ongoing evolution of Optics and Optometry worldwide, further strengthening IBZ’s position as Italy’s leading institution for the education of vision care professionals.

Further Reading on IBZ International Activities

1. IBZ in Germany: Karlsruhe and Munich – IBZ’s participation in the ConnActions Italy-Germany network for Optics and Optometry education.
2. IBZ-SBIE Agreement for the Education of Opticians and Optometrists in Greece – the collaboration between IBZ and SBIE Athens for international Optics and Optometry education.
3. Erasmus+ with BBS Brinkstraße in Osnabrück – the first German students hosted by IBZ.
4. The Long-Standing Collaboration Between IBZ and Aston University – the international partnership and the BSc in Optometry and Clinical Practice.
5. The three-year course in Clinical and Vision Sciences – the IBZ programme designed according to ECOO standards, AOA guidelines and the European ISCO-08/ESCO 2267 framework.