What is SymBioSE?

SymBioSE was founded in 1996 by the German student association. The basic idea was to connect all European biology students, allowing for the exchange of 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 continued as an annual event to be held in the different participating countries. Since then, every host country has built upon the initial framework and upgraded it with aspects of their own cultural background. Thusfar, this has resulted every time in a unique and enriching symposium.

Today, SymBioSE meetings have three major goals: 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 always rely upon the trends in research that complement both local institutions and their resources. Lectures are usually held at a local university, so the students gain a detailed insight into other university systems.
During round tables and national meetings representatives of the participating countries discuss the following issues: new developments within their parent universities, newly created or planned biological study programs, and the various ways of student collaboration.
Social events in the evenings further enhance contacts between the participants. This will allow everyone to create a personal network throughout Europe, thereby facilitating student exchanges and international work experience. All of this will promote a mutual understanding between countries through academic and cultural exchange while developing a different perspective on their own educational systems.

In general, SymBioSE is not a rigid organization with a hierarchical structure. SymBioSE is a symposium that takes place once a year and aims to connect European biology students through the year by personal contact. Therefore, it is open for every student and not limited to student representatives.