By Dr. Manoela Malta and Dr. Francisco Gutierrez

“Space—whether physical or virtual—can have an impact on learning. It can bring people together; it can encourage exploration, collaboration, and discussion. Or, space can carry an unspoken message of silence and disconnectedness.”
— D. G. Oblinger, Learning Spaces

In higher education today, classrooms and labs are not just rooms (or they should not be!)— they are tools. In health sciences especially, the learning environment has become a silent yet powerful contributor to how knowledge is acquired, applied, and remembered.

At the heart of this transformation is a new generation of learners, and a rapidly evolving understanding of how we learn best. Generation Z — digital natives raised in a world of instant information and constant connectivity — demands more from their educational experience than traditional lectures and outdated lab benches. They seek spaces that are not only functional but inspirational: flexible, tech-forward, socially engaging, and emotionally resonant.

They learn by doing. They collaborate across disciplines. They crave real-world relevance.

Rethinking Space for the Health Professionals of the Future

Cintana Education’s model for immersive learning spaces addresses precisely this shift. The immersive labs we co-design with our university partners are built around a simple truth: where you learn deeply shapes how you learn.

These spaces are not simply updated classrooms or digitized versions of older labs. They are thoughtfully crafted ecosystems that integrate the cognitive, emotional, and physical dimensions of learning. They are flexible, aesthetic, and purpose-driven — built to foster collaboration, spark curiosity, and support a broad range of learning methodologies and experiences.

Among their defining characteristics:

• Technological integration: VR, AR, high technology equipment, and digital platforms are seamlessly embedded in the learning flow.

• Flexibility: Spaces can be rearranged to support different group sizes, teaching styles, and meaningful collaboration.

• Sensory engagement: Lighting, color, texture, and layout are designed to promote attention, creativity, and well-being.

• Emotional resonance: Spaces cultivate a sense of belonging and identity. They are enchanting, stimulating, and human-centered.

In the context of health sciences education, immersive labs offer something particularly valuable: they allow students to practice being professionals before they step into real hospitals and clinics. This is not only a pedagogical upgrade — it’s a cultural transformation.

The Launch of CIES at Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara

One of the most exciting implementations of this vision recently took place in Guadalajara, where the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG) officially launched its Immersive Center for Education in Health (Centro Inmersivo de Educación en Salud - CIES) on March 28, 2025.

Located at the ICB Campus, CIES is a state-of-the-art space that embodies the core principles of immersive learning. More than a set of upgraded labs, the center represents a shift in how medical and health sciences education is conceived and delivered.

The center includes:

• 2 advanced labs for Human Structure and Function

• 1 Digital Life Lab for clinical and biological foundations

• A learning lounge that encourages informal but intentional interactions

• A robust portfolio of technology-enhanced learning tools, including:

  • Several large touchscreens and iPads

  • Virtual reality pod

  • Virtual patients  

  • Virtual anatomy

  • Virtual lab experiments  

  • Ultrasound, EKG, and physiology equipment

• Anatomical models, AR, body painting, and other multi-sensory learning tools

Perhaps most notably, the center is designed according to neuroarchitecture principles, ensuring that the physical environment supports cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall student engagement.

The result is a space that does more than deliver knowledge — it shapes future health professionals through experiences that are meaningful, transformative, and unforgettable.

The Soul of the Center: Where Infrastructure Meets Intentional Learning

While CIES impresses at first glance with its cutting-edge infrastructure, the true transformation happens within. What makes this center extraordinary is not just the technology or design — it’s the educational strategy that animates it.

At the heart of CIES lies a rigorous educational model rooted in the Cintana Learning Framework. Every learning session conducted in the center is intentionally crafted: standardized, documented, and fully integrated into the curricula of Medicine and Health Sciences programs. These aren’t extracurricular activities done on the margins — they are core academic experiences, purpose-built to deliver deep, lasting learning.

Students engage in small-group sessions structured around a station-based model, rotating through environments that are each uniquely designed to address specific learning outcomes. These stations are not arbitrary — they are the result of thoughtful instructional design by faculty trained in contemporary methodologies. The technologies, digital tools, and physical models at each station are carefully selected to enhance understanding, promote critical thinking, and ensure alignment with the session’s objectives.

This is where the infrastructure becomes alive: in the rhythm of learning, the dialogue between peers, the hands-on exploration, the guided reflection, and the enchantment that comes from being at the center of one’s own learning process. CIES is more than a facility — it is a living educational ecosystem, pulsing with purpose.

A Celebration of Innovation

The launch event was a vivid reflection of the values embedded in the space itself: innovation, connection, and purpose.

Held on campus at the ICB in Guadalajara, the celebration brought together an impressive array of guests, including the Rector of UAG, Lic. Antonio Leaño Reyes, along with Lic. Antonio Leaño Reyes, General Vicerrector, and Mtro. Juan Carlos Leaño, Administrative Vicerrector, Dr. Alfonso Petersen, Vice Rector for Academic and Health Sciences, Dr. Dr. Héctor Pérez, Secretary of Health of the State of Jalisco, Mr. Horacio Fernandez, Secretary of Innovation, Science and Technology of the State of Jalisco, several hospital and school directors, and other academic authorities, faculty members and health sciences students of the university.

Both Health Sciences Deans of UAG, Dr. Beatriz Tinoco, Dean of Medicine, and Dr. Nora Noriega, Dean of Health Sciences, participated in the event and were fundamental in the conceptualization and implementation of this project.

From the Cintana team, Dr. Francisco Gutiérrez - Global Managing Director of Medicine and Health, and Dr. Manoela Malta, Director of Education and products for Health Sciences, were present to witness the culmination of this collaborative project.

Throughout the day, guests explored the labs while students and faculty members participated in real-time learning sessions using digital platforms and virtual patients. The energy was palpable — a mix of pride, excitement, and curiosity. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many noting the center's powerful blend of advanced technology and human-centered design.

The event concluded with a cocktail reception, where ideas, impressions, and future collaborations continued to flow.

More Than a Lab

With the opening of CIES, UAG reaffirms its position as “Innovators Since the Beginning” and joins a growing network of universities redefining health sciences education through immersive learning. This center stands as a model for how space can serve as a pedagogical agent — one that teaches not just facts, but professional identity, collaboration, and the joy of learning.

In the end, CIES is not just a lab. It is a declaration of intent — a commitment to shaping education environments that inspire, engage, and prepare students for their bright professional lives.