Internship of teachers of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University at the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium)

For high-quality training of students from the new multidisciplinary master’s program «Telemedical and biomedical systems», which is being implemented at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University with the support of the Erasmus + project «Innovative multidisciplinary educational program for training bachelors and masters in artificial implants for bioengineering» 586114-EPP-1-2017-1-ES-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP [BIOART] (https://zp.edu.ua/?q=node/6985), teachers of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University from September 2 to 6, 2019, took part in the «Week of Professional Development» event, which was held at the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium).

The delegation from NU «Zaporizka Polytechnic» was headed by the vice-rector for scientific work and international activities, PhD, prof. V.V. Naumyk, who held meetings with Prof. Jan Evensen, director of the De Nair campus, and prof. Bert Lauers, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, regarding the possibilities of expanding cooperation between our universities.

Teachers from the Catholic University of Leuven held seminars and master classes on the topics: «3D printing for biomedical purposes», «Implants for orthopedics» and «Methods for controlling the physical and mechanical properties and quality of implants made of biocompatible materials». The participants of the project consortium had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the scientific developments in the field of bioengineering carried out at the De Nair and Heverly campuses.

In addition, seminars were held for the participants by representatives of partner universities:

1.The need of corrosion prediction methods for advanced orthopedic medical implants: A Practical Body Stimulation Environmental Aspect (Prof. Amir Eliezer, SCE, Israel)

2.Patient-specific orthopedic implants manufactured by Additive Manufacturing (Prof. Guy Ben-Hamu, SCE, Israel)

3. Solubility of drugs leads to low bioavailability resulting in suboptimal drug delivery.” (Ammar Aiman, Jerusalem college of Engineerig, Israel)

4. Introducing bio-inspired adhesive-surfaces to the field of biomedical engineering, particularly in oral cavity tissues.” (Hasem Hatam, Jerusalem college of Engineerig, Israel)

5. “Biodegradable Magnesium Alloy for Osteosynthesis” (Prof. V. Shalomieiev, NU Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic, Ukraine)

During a visit to the company Materialize Medical (Leuven), one of the oldest and largest companies engaged in 3D printing and software development for 3D printing, the participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with modern achievements in the field of additive technologies and their application in bioengineering. Materialize Medical has pioneered many leading medical applications of 3D printing and is empowering researchers, engineers and clinicians to revolutionize innovative technologies for patient care that improve and save lives.