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University of Malta Physiotherapy Academics Participation in ENPHE Forum 2025

The Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Malta senior academics Dr John Xerri de Caro and Dr Stephen Lungaro Mifsud represented the University at the ENPHE Forum 2025, hosted by the Lunex University of Applied Sciences in Luxembourg.

The three-day Forum, held between the 18 and 20 September 2025, gathered physiotherapy academics, researchers, and practitioners from across Europe to reflect on the theme “The Future of Physiotherapy Education: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities”. The event combined stimulating keynote lectures, collaborative workshops, and presentations of cutting-edge projects, creating a vibrant space for dialogue and innovation.

For Dr Xerri de Caro and Dr Lungaro Mifsud, the Forum was an opportunity not only to represent the University of Malta but also to actively engage in shaping the conversations that are redefining the teaching and practice of physiotherapy. Their presence reinforced the University’s commitment to advancing education in line with international best practice.

One of the most significant moments of the Forum was the keynote lecture delivered by Professor Steven Ambler, Professor of Physical Therapy and Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University, titled “Curriculum as a Means: Making the Move to Competence-Based Education.” The keynote explored how physiotherapy curricula can evolve beyond traditional models to embrace competence-based education (CBE), a framework that emphasises real-world skills, adaptability, and professional readiness. Dr Xerri de Caro and Dr Lungaro Mifsud attended and contributed to the lively discussion that followed, exchanging perspectives with peers from across Europe. The dialogue touched upon the challenges of implementation, the opportunities for innovation, and the vital role of universities in preparing physiotherapists for the rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

Beyond the keynote, the Forum’s programme highlighted a broad spectrum of topics ranging from the integration of artificial intelligence in physiotherapy to the work of dedicated ENPHE working groups. It offered a platform for sharing research, developing collaborative projects, and building networks that will continue to support physiotherapy education well into the future.

The active participation of Dr Xerri de Caro and Dr Lungaro Mifsud demonstrated the department’s dedication to international collaboration and its vision for a physiotherapy curriculum that equips graduates to meet both current and emerging needs of patients and health systems. Their contributions at the ENPHE Forum reaffirmed the University’s role as a forward-looking institution committed to educational excellence and professional innovation.