BIOMEDIX is a collaborative project uniting institutions from Latvia, Romania, Poland, Spain, Serbia, Croatia, Germany, and Belgium to drive innovation in biomedical education and device development. This project addresses key challenges in healthcare by integrating digital transformation and additive manufacturing into biomedical engineering curricula and fostering entrepreneurial skills in students.
The BIOMEDIX project leverages cutting-edge technologies, including advanced CAD/CAE software and AR/VR solutions developed by Materialise, to equip students and researchers with the tools needed to design personalized biomedical solutions. Through interactive learning platforms, immersive simulations, and a metaverse-based collaboration space, BIOMEDIX aims to enhance educational quality, promote interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, and stimulate entrepreneurial thinking.
Key initiatives include:
- Digital Transformation: Utilizing 3D bio-printing and additive manufacturing to accelerate biomedical innovation, BIOMEDIX fosters a culture of creativity and collaboration. Through software like Mimics and 3-matic, students and professionals can explore new applications in healthcare.
- Innovative Learning and Teaching: BIOMEDIX introduces project-based learning, real-world case studies, and VR/AR-enhanced training to engage students and provide hands-on experience. Industry leaders ViscoTec and Materialise contribute their expertise to create impactful learning opportunities.
- Entrepreneurial Skill Development: Students participate in hackathons, workshops, and team-based projects, building essential skills to translate ideas into viable businesses.
The project also aims to inspire youth engagement in STEM, address skill gaps in healthcare and technology, and explore synergies with other fields, including sport sciences. By advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, BIOMEDIX not only enhances biomedical education but also promotes economic growth, quality of life, and healthcare innovation across Europe.
Project Reference: 2024-1-LV01-KA220-HED-000255929
Action: 2024 Cooperation partnerships in higher education, Erasmus+
Start date: 01/09/2024
End date: 31/08/2027
Total duration: 36 months
Objectives
Respond to the demand of specialists caused by the introduction of disruptive technologies in medical device manufacturing under MDR Regulation (EU) 2017/745 by:
O1: Incorporating Industry 4.0 (AR/VR, 3D Bioprinting, AI) in Biomedical Engineering curricula.
O2: Adopting new digital teaching methods for transnational knowledge-exchange in the e-Metaverse.
O3: Promoting personalized device manufacturing to encourage med-tech entrepreneurship.
O4: Fostering collaboration across med-tech agents.
Activities
For achieving the objectives, these actions will be carried out in close collaboration with industry partners:
A1: Generation of new e- contents in the biomedical field (e-courses, e-laboratories & e-case studies).
A2: Setting up an innovative digital learning framework under a dedicated metaverse platform.
A3: Testing new digital teaching methodologies for blended-mode education and summer schools.
A4: Promoting med-tech entrepreneurship through hackathons and multiplier events.
Impact
R1: Metaverse platform with new contents: 8 e-book modules, 5 e-toolkit modules and 6 e-case studies.
R2: Organization of 3 Workshops for teacher and staff instruction in new methodologies.
R3: Organization of 3 Summer Schools students for personalized medical device manufacturing.
R4: Organization of 4 Hackathons for students and 4 multiplier events for all the agents involved.
R5: Students (116), Teachers (123) and Staff (38) mobilities for setting and testing the educational model proposed.