Humanitarian missions

The Institute of Optometry promotes humanitarian missions during the undergraduate programme and offers students the opportunity to participate in a number of humanitarian missions in optometry.

These missions allow participants to develop their technical and intercultural competencies and to gain professional and life experience.

Participation is limited and in certain cases students are selected by a committee of lectures at the end of the fifth semester based on a student‘s performance. The amount of clinical responsibility during these missions is considerable. Therefore, the selection process ensures that only highly-motivated students take part.

Optometry undergraduates can work as volunteers at the Special Olympics of Switzerland. At these games, which take place at regular intervals, mentally challenge people are supported in their endeavours to grow and develop through sport. The Healthy Athletes® Programms provides comprehensive medical check-ups free of charge.

Healthy Athletes ® health check at the Special Olympics National Winter Games in Chur on 3 March 2016 (PHOTOPRESS/Dominik Baur)