Robotic Surgery Competence Centre for the 15th anniversary of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering
The Faculty of Biomedical Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology, the only one in Poland, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Located in the Zabrze campus of the University, it educates highly qualified engineers for the medical industry. The jubilee confirmed that the history of this centre is just beginning, as evidenced by the popularity of the new field of study and the signing of an agreement with Innovaris from the Anmar Group – a distributor of CMR Surgical, a tycoon in access to the latest technology and training in the field of robotic surgery.
On the 26.04.2010 the Senate of the Silesian University of Technology at the request of the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology Prof. Andrzej Karbownik passed a resolution on the establishment of the first in the country Faculty of Biomedical Engineering from 1.05.2010 and - starting from the academic year 2010/2011, full-time studies of the first and second degree in Biomedical Engineering. Initially, didactic classes were carried out in the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Gliwice. Since the academic year 2011/2012, the classes have been partially implemented in Zabrze in the facilities of the Faculty of Organization and Management (building E), adapted for laboratory purposes. Over the years, the centre has developed dynamically, and today it also uses the modern base of the European HealthTech Innovation Centre (EHTIC). Over the years, it has educated more than 1500 graduates.
The Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk emphasized that the establishment of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering was a response to the needs of the industry and the growing market of medical technologies in Silesia, and support for its launch and development came from both local government and university authorities.
- After 15 years, we see that the faculty works perfectly, has excellent staff, excellent infrastructure, and modern didactic offer. This year, a new field of studies was launched – “Engineering Technologies in Forensics,” which met with great interest of candidates. The success and quality of education of this place is also evidenced by its outstanding graduates, such as Prof Marek Gzik, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, and Prof. Zbigniew Paszenda – currently Vice-Rector of our University – said the Rector.
Graduates proudly emphasize that it was in the Zabrze centre that they gained education and first professional experience. Years later, they themselves became the creators of the development of this place.
- I am proud and at the same time touched that so much has been achieved in these 15 years. In addition to infrastructure and graduates, we can have very ambitious projects, and yet this place still has beautiful perspectives of development ahead of it - admitted professor Gzik, once the Dean of this Faculty and now the head of the Department of Mechatronics.
Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Zbigniew Paszenda, today the Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Investment of the Silesian University of Technology, and previously also the Dean of the Faculty, did not hide his emotion in connection with receiving the statuette “Distinguished for the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering.” - I joined the noble group. I am glad that I could be and still am a part of the team that creates this only Faculty of Biomedical Engineering in Poland – he noted.
Prof. Jan Marciniak, founder of the Centre for Biomedical Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology and co-founder and organizer of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, emphasized that biomedical engineers can really influence the future of medicine and patient well-being, and studies in this field are courses with a mission. The scientist noted that while working in other engineering disciplines, he eventually found himself in the world of biomedical engineering.
- Engineering solutions find their way into medicine, over the years we have developed many effective solutions, on a global scale, for which we have received numerous awards - said Prof. Marcinak. - Our projects for medicine were created in modestly equipped laboratories, today students have at their disposal modern equipment and laboratories of a world-class level, which should further drive them to action. The faculty authorities are using this potential perfectly – added the professor.
Since this academic year, the Faculty is offering three fields of education – in addition to Biomedical Engineering in Polish and English, also Engineering Technologies in Forensics. This is a new course of education implemented in cooperation with the Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Toxicology of the Medical University of Silesia and the Forensic Laboratory of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Katowice.
-Today we solemnly inaugurated the academic year for which we have been eagerly waiting. The number of students who applied for the new course exceeded our wildest expectations, we have further plans, we are constantly developing - emphasized Dr. Hab. Eng. Marcin Basiaga, Prof. SUT, Dean of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering.
The jubilee of the 15th anniversary was accompanied by the annual HTIC conference, during which Prof. Marek Pawełczyk - Rector of the Silesian University of Technology and Marcin Bruszewski, President of Innovaris, the only distributor of CMR Surgical equipment in Poland, the manufacturer of the Versius system – a modern robotic surgery system, have signed a cooperation agreement. At the same time, the Robotic Surgery Competence Centre in Zabrze was launched.
The dynamic development of robotic surgery in Poland shows the potential of this technology, but at the same time reveals the biggest problem - unequal access of patients to modern treatments. This is why it is so important to combine two elements – a technology designed for accessibility and a systemic approach to training medical teams. The Centre in Zabrze is to serve as a place where knowledge, practice and innovation meet to enable the implementation of robotics in both the largest clinics and regional hospitals.
- This is the absolute future of surgery. This can be seen in the number of procedures performed, which are growing year by year, and a large part of very precise operations that determine the life and physical condition of patients is performed with the participation of tele-manipulators and medical robots - said Prof. Gzik.
The Deputy Minister’s words are confirmed by the statistics. In 2024, over 17 thousand robotic procedures were performed in Poland – 70% more than a year earlier. Although there are about 80 robots in the country, most procedures are concentrated in large academic centres, and patients in smaller towns still have limited access to this technology. The newly established Robotic Surgery Competence Centre in Zabrze is to be the answer to this problem.
- Robotic surgery is not the future, it is the present. However, we can see huge disparities in access – in some provinces patients undergo hundreds of treatments per year, in others they
practically do not have such an opportunity. Therefore, it is crucial to prepare medical teams throughout Poland so that the technology can realistically reach patients, regardless of their place of residence – said Marcin Bruszewski, President of Innovaris.
Ultimately, the idea is that patients can quickly receive a precise diagnosis and have their procedures performed as soon as possible. This idealistic vision of the medical world is becoming more and more real. Before this happens, trainings for future medical staff will be launched in the Zabrze centre using the Versius system.
Its modular design and compact dimensions mean that it can be installed in standard operating rooms without costly conversions. At the same time, Versius works well in the most advanced clinics, where it supports procedures in urology, gynaecology, or oncological surgery.
Ms. Melinda Simmons, the British Ambassador to Poland, who attended the opening of the Centre in Zabrze, said that it will be the first training centre in Poland accredited by the British company - The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
- This cooperation reflects very good relations between the UK and Poland. Poland, with a rapidly growing technology sector and highly qualified engineering staff, and the United Kingdom, as a global leader in research and innovation, form a strategic alliance that can bring real benefits to patients, scientists, and entire healthcare systems. - Through this collaboration, we can accelerate the implementation of best practices, support the development of joint innovation, and build a stronger and more resilient health ecosystem across Europe, - the ambassador said, congratulating all partners on the project.
Thanks to the facilities of the Silesian University of Technology, the trainings will take place in conditions as close as possible to the actual operating room and will cover the entire team – from the console operator, assistance and to instrumentalists. The program complies with the international standards of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, which guarantees not only high quality but also full standardization of the educational process.
- EHTIC has been developing medical technologies for years and creating an infrastructure where doctors can train in realistic conditions, earning internationally recognized certificates. Our ambition is to make Zabrze a point of reference for the entire region of Central and Eastern Europe – a place where science, business and clinic cooperate for the benefit of the patient – says Dr. Eng. Marcin Kaczmarek, Prof. SUT, Director of EHTIC.
The Centre will be a place where high-class experts from Innovaris – trainers with many years of experience in robotic surgery and excellent knowledge of the Versius system, who have been training operators and teams throughout Poland for years, will pass on their knowledge and experience.
[text] Katarzyna Siwczyk, Anna Świderska
photos: Maciej Mutwil, Anna Świderska
