How can engineering help medicine? Another HTIC conference at the Silesian University of Technology is behind us
Several hundred participants from all over Poland, scientists from all centres dealing with innovations in medicine and representatives of the medical industry met in Zabrze at the European HealthTech Innovation Centre (EHTIC) during the conference “Innovations in Biomedical Engineering.”
The HTIC conference is a continuation of the conference “Innovations in Biomedical Engineering” organized since 2016 and is an event that every year gathers several hundred participants from all over Poland, but also speakers from outside the country.
The conference is interdisciplinary by nature. Hence, the topics concerned, among others, modern technologies related to the production of medical devices, the use of artificial intelligence in medicine, but also discussed the creation of ecosystems supporting cooperation on the science-business line – said Dr Hab. Eng. Marcin Kaczmarek, prof. of Silesian University of Technology, Director of the European HealthTech Innovation Centre (EHTIC), which hosted the conference.
Secretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Prof. Marek Gzik sees a great opportunity for development in such cooperation.
“We believe that this conference is conducive to building a platform for cooperation between science and business, which should be a priority. Several countries in Poland still have a very low level of industry funding for science. Here we have a lot to do, therefore, as a representative of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, I have already initiated the organization of the Science-Business Congress in 2025 to change this situation” – said Prof. Marek Gzik.
During the conference in Zabrze, one could see what specific effects can come from such cooperation. Discussions were undertaken, among others, on how to market projects developed in scientific centres related to the market of medical devices.
In addition to representatives of companies who listened to lectures and presentations, the guests also included experts operating on the biomedical engineering market for years, who see the potential in this branch of science.
“We have been co-organizing this conference for years. We want to show scientists and students of the Silesian University of Technology the possibilities of development in this future industry, which is biomedical engineering” – said Dominika Orszulik-Baron from American Heart of Poland.
“Engineers are highly sought after in the medical industry. Abroad, it is standard that engineers are present in operating rooms and medical units. Poland also wants to do that,” she added.
The authorities of the Silesian University of Technology also see potential in the development of biomedical engineering. It is not without reason that this is one of the industries that may determine the economic development of the Silesian Voivodeship in the future.
- “In the region we have many prestigious medical institutions in the country. The Silesian University of Technology, thanks to its engineering knowledge, but also social sensitivity, is able to contribute a lot to the development of this industry, including through education. We were the first in Poland to launch the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, but we also have an excellent scientific base in the European HealthTech Innovation Centre (EHTIC) which may pay off with innovative projects on a European scale” – added the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk.
Photograph: Wojciech Kajzer
