UCC-led Consortium to develop Biomedical Devices
28.09.2011
A UCC led-project consortium, which includes several collaborating European universities and research centres, as well as local SMEs, has become the only successful Irish applicant in the European Union Lifelong Learning Erasmus Multilateral Projects 2011. The project, led by Dr Colm O’Tuathaigh, School of Medicine, UCC, and Dr Padraig Cantillon-Murphy, Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, UCC will bring together local doctors and UCC engineering and medical undergraduate students to develop new medical devices and healthcare solutions.
The genesis of the project titled “Biodesign
for Health Applications” comes from the experience of Dr Padraig Cantillon-Murphy,
at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where a similar educational
module, offered at a postgraduate level, has resulted in the generation of
several commercially viable biomedical devices.
This project will fund the design and
implementation of an educational module which will enable UCC Medical and
Engineering undergraduates to conduct interdisciplinary analysis of a
real-world clinical problem via
provision of a clinical immersion experience, mentored learning, as well as
training in structured innovation problem-solving tools. SME partners will also
work with educators in the development of complementary commercialisation and
business plan development skills in these students.
Among the priorities of the EU Lifelong learning Erasmus
Multilateral Projects Programme is the support of activities which address the
knowledge triangle of education, research and innovation. As highlighted in the
2010 EU Flagship Initiative “Innovation
Union” report, it is increasingly recognised, that teaching skills in
innovation is essential to increased economic competitiveness, sustainability,
and job creation across the European Union. The importance of fostering
innovation and entrepreneurial skills at an undergraduate level has also been
emphasised in the 2010 Innovation Task Force Report.
Speaking about the project, Professor George Shorten, Dean
of UCC School of Medicine, said: “This project outlines a novel educational
module which offers practical and interdisciplinary learning opportunities to
undergraduate engineering and medical third level students across Europe. It
combines the expertise of partners in the engineering and medical disciplines,
together with enterprise involvement, to formulate a targeted educational
programme which addresses specifically the unsolved problem of educating for
creativity and innovation in third level education.”
Picture L-R: Professor George Shorten, Dean, School of Medicine,
UCC, Dr Colm O Tuathaigh, School of Medicine, UCC, Dr Padraig Cantillon-Murphy, Department of Electrical &
Electronic Engineering, UCC.
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