At the time of the state of emergency due to the Covid-19 epidemic, the one-year phase of the Thematic Excellence Program at the University of Pécs was completed, in the frame of which technical and health professionals worked together on developments that improve the quality of life and patients' chances for recovery.
They created a 3D printed prosthesis that can be taught with the help of artificial intelligence and can be customized for the patient, medical software was developed and they also dealt with artificial tissue production (bioprinting). With the latter, diseases can be modelled, toxicological studies related to drug research can be performed or even bone and cartilage prostheses can be made.
Dr. Gabriella Medvegy, professor and dean of the University of Pécs Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology told computerworld.hu about the future of research and development and the master's program as well. As she said, in the one-year Thematic Excellence Program launched in 2019, UP received government support specifically to explore scientific, research, development and innovation opportunities in the field of biomedical engineering. Mainly researchers from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology and the Medical School participated in the work but representatives of the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Clinical Center were also involved in the projects. Fifteen research groups worked in the program.
Dr. Gabriella Medvegy also mentioned that within the Thematic Excellence Program they had the opportunity to apply again for the next two years and they have already submitted their application at the beginning of July. Their goal is for the research groups to not work in a limited, one-way focus but to get to know the perspectives of others as well and for more engineers and physicians to work together. It can already be seen that there are projects where they can continue the work they have started outside the Thematic Excellence Program as well.
The interview also mentions that, recognizing the market needs, a request for the accreditation of the master's program in medical engineering has recently been submitted to the Hungarian Accreditation Committee. They hope that their initiative will be supported and in 2021 they can start a master's program in biomedical engineering in Hungary as the second institution after the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
The initially English-language course will be hosted by the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, but the Medical School will also participate in the education. Biomedical engineering is expected to attract great international interest.