SymBioSE was founded in 1996 by the German student association. The basic idea was to connect all biology students on a European level, to exchange ideas, perspectives and experiences about student concerns. This led to the first meeting in Berlin in 1997.

After a successful start with 12 European nations it was decided to continue it as an annual event that should be held in the different participating countries. Since then, every host country has built upon the initial framework and upgraded it with aspects of its own cultural background. This resulted every time in a very unique and enriching symposium.

Today, SymBioSE meetings contain three major aspects, i.e. to broaden the horizons of the participating students by excursions and lectures, to connect the people by discussions and cultural exchange and to inform everybody about current university matters. The biological topics presented are always imposed by trends in research emphasizing local institutions and resources. Lectures are usually held at a local university, so the students gain a detailed insight in other university systems.
During round tables and national meetings representatives of the participating countries exchange new developments in their university systems, inform about newly created or planned biological study programs and about the different ways of student collaboration in general. Social events in the evenings further enhance contacts between the participants. This will allow everyone to create a personal network throughout Europe facilitating student exchanges and international work experience.
All of this will promote a mutual understanding between countries through academic and cultural exchange and develop a different perspective on their own educational systems.

In general it has to be said that SymBioSE is not a rigid organization with a hierarchical structure. SymBioSE is first of all a symposium that takes place once per year and which aims to connect European biology students through personal contacts. Therefore it is open for every student and not limited to student representatives.

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This text was copied from the international SymBioSE wepage - Go there / The webmasters