The exemplary collaboration between the NATO Centre of Excellence for Military Medicine (NATO MILMED COE) and the Hungarian National Ambulance Service was duly recognised at the Project Presentation Conference organised by the Semmelweis University Health Services Management Training Centre, held between 4–5 March 2025 in Balatonszárszó, Hungary. The joint project, led by Attila Kecskés (NATO MILMED COE, Training Branch – Medical Staff Officer) and Dr Balázs Kádár (MD), Regional Director of the Hungarian National Ambulance Service, was awarded the "Most Innovative Project" accolade. The competition featured 55 projects across nine categories, with recognition granted to the most outstanding initiatives.

The significance of this project lies in its successful demonstration of the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) technology in medical and emergency service training. NATO MILMED COE has been engaged in research and implementation of VR capabilities within military medical training for several years. This expertise was leveraged to enhance a conventional, instructor-led educational programme at the Hungarian National Ambulance Service. The experimental training model divided participants into two cohorts: one receiving traditional instruction and the other undergoing training in a VR environment, utilising identical curricula and the same educators.

The findings unequivocally substantiated that VR-based education is not only more cost- and time-efficient but also exhibits demonstrable improvements in pedagogical effectiveness. The success of this initiative was underpinned by the openness and support of both organisations’ leadership, fostering an environment conducive to innovation. Additionally, the project greatly benefited from the contributions of the Defence Innovation Research Institute of Hungary (VIKI) and AR Works Ltd., whose expertise facilitated the seamless integration of VR technology into the educational framework.

This collaboration exemplifies how international organisations, national healthcare providers, and private enterprises can successfully pool their resources to advance educational methodologies. Moreover, the initiative serves as a paradigm for how contemporary technological advancements can revolutionise traditional training methods, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and efficacy of educational programmes.

The project management was spearheaded by Nóra Fazekas, who mentored participating students throughout the three-semester-long project endeavour. The results of this initiative not only provide crucial validation for the cooperating institutions but also offer valuable insights for the future development of healthcare education on a broader scale.