The Nebrija Institute of Vocational Education and Training has developed Salud Conecta, a comprehensive digital platform designed to support health and encourage healthy lifestyles. The project, selected by CaixaBank Dualiza and FPEmpresa as part of their funding programme, has been developed entirely by students at the centre.
The initiative combines a mobile application for iOS and Android with a synchronised web platform, with the aim of empowering people, particularly older people and those who care for them. To achieve this, Salud Conecta helps users manage medication safely, better understand health information and adopt healthier habits.
Among its main features is the ability to scan medication barcodes in order to access clear, concise and visual patient information, presented without unnecessary technical language. The platform also allows users to set personalised reminders for medication and healthy activities, create a secure synchronised record that can be shared with relatives, carers or healthcare professionals, and communicate directly with pharmacists via chat or video call.
Salud Conecta also includes a gamification system featuring points, badges, challenges and a community element, designed to improve adherence to treatment and encourage consistency in healthy routines. The platform can also connect with wearable devices and physical activity apps, and includes educational content presented in innovative formats.
A technological solution designed for older people
Salud Conecta has been designed with inclusion and accessibility in mind, incorporating adjustable text size, easy-to-read content, high-contrast options and voice control. It also features a dedicated mode for older people, including simplified smartwatches with vibration and voice alerts, an enlarged interface and the option for remote monitoring by authorised family members.
The initiative originated from the students themselves, after they identified the real difficulties many older people face when managing their medication safely, understanding patient information leaflets and maintaining healthy habits independently. Based on this observation, the students decided to apply their technical skills to a social challenge close to home, creating a tool that could also help reduce the burden on relatives and carers.
A total of 61 students from the Nebrija Institute of VET took part in the project during the 2025-2026 academic year, representing different programmes and professional fields. These included students from Multiplatform Application Development (DAM), Web Application Development (DAW) and Network Computer Systems Administration (ASIR), within the Information Technology and Communications field; students from Marketing and Advertising; and students from the Healthcare field.
The project was developed through a multidisciplinary approach. The IT area was responsible for the architecture, application development, web platform and systems infrastructure. Healthcare students contributed their knowledge to ensure the accuracy of the pharmaceutical information, define accessibility criteria and address the needs of older people. The Marketing area, meanwhile, worked on brand identity, user experience and project communication.
The students developed Salud Conecta from start to finish, from needs analysis and visual identity design to the development of the mobile app and synchronised website, the barcode scanning module, reminder system, shared health record, gamification engine, wearable integration, senior mode, educational content and functionality and usability testing.
The project also benefited from the collaboration of Cofares, which provided access to its medicines database for the scanning module and the generation of simplified patient information. CaixaBank Dualiza funded the initiative through its funding programme, while FPEmpresa provided institutional support, guidance and dissemination across its network of Vocational Education and Training centres.
One of the project’s main challenges was coordinating the work of 61 students from different VET programmes, each with different content, learning paces and curricular objectives. To address this, the project established a team structure with clearly defined roles, regular coordination meetings and a shared project language. This cross-programme coordination ultimately became one of the initiative’s main strengths.
From an academic perspective, Salud Conecta has made it possible to integrate the learning outcomes of all the programmes involved into a real product, strengthening skills in multiplatform and web development, systems administration, accessibility, communication and teamwork.
The project has also been awarded the Spanish Gold Medal in the International Challenge organised by Tongji University, in China. This recognition has provided a major boost to the students’ motivation, confidence and professional pride, while also giving the project significant international exposure.
The team’s immediate goal is to represent Spain at the world final to be held in China. Looking ahead, the centre plans to continue the project with future cohorts of students, further improve and expand the platform’s features and move towards deployment in a real-world environment, while seeking new partnerships with organisations in the healthcare and social sectors.
Author:The Association of Vocational Training Centres, FPEmpresa