15th HTIC Conference and 15th anniversary of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering

On 6–7 October 2025, the European HealthTech Innovation Center (EHTIC) in Zabrze hosted the HealthTech Innovation Conference 2025 (HTIC 2025) – a key event dedicated to modern medical technologies and their clinical application. The conference was combined with the celebrations of the 15th anniversary of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering (WIB) of the Silesian University of Technology, the originator, initiator and long-time co-organiser of the HTIC conference – a faculty that educates highly qualified engineers for the medical industry and has modern infrastructure at its disposal.

15th anniversary – History and Future of Biomedical Engineering

The Faculty of Biomedical Engineering at the Silesian University of Technology, the only one of its kind in Poland, celebrated 15 years of dynamic development. The celebrations were an opportunity to recall the beginnings of the faculty’s activity, as well as its scientific and teaching successes, which have built its reputation in Poland and abroad. The Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk, emphasised that the establishment of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering was a response to the needs of industry and the developing medical technology market in Silesia.

The Dean of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Dr Marcin Basiaga, Prof. PŚ, proudly noted that the number of students applying for the new programme – engineering technologies in forensics – exceeded all expectations.

During the 15th anniversary celebrations, individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the centre were honoured:

The title of ‘Distinguished Service to the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering’ was awarded to Prof. Zbigniew Paszenda, PhD.
The title of Honorary Professor of the Silesian University of Technology in 2025 was awarded to Prof. Ewa Piętka, PhD.

Commemorative gifts were also presented to former members of the Dean’s Councils and to those who had headed the faculty since its inception. It was an excellent opportunity to thank all those who, through their work, passion and commitment, had contributed to shaping our shared history.

HTIC 2025: Science and Robotics in the Service of Patients

The conference was officially opened by Prof. Marcin Kaczmarek, Director of EHTIC. Guests included Melinda Simmons DCMG, British Ambassador to Poland, Prof. Marek Gzik, Chairman of the Health Committee of the Polish Senate, and Luke Hares, co-founder and Director of Innovation at CMR Surgical.

HTIC 2025 speakers emphasised that modern technology-based medicine is already a reality. The plenary session, led by Prof. Aamir Saeed Malik from Brno University of Technology, among others, focused on the use of modern technologies (such as smartwatches, smartphones and smart EEG kits) to monitor brain signals and enable early prevention of mental disorders.

Robotic Surgery Competence Centre: Signing of a Historic Agreement
The key and culminating event of the conference was the grand opening of the Robotic Excellence Centre in the PHILIPS auditorium and the signing of a cooperation agreement.

The agreement was concluded between the Silesian University of Technology and Innovaris (a distributor of CMR Surgical and part of the Anmar Group). The newly established Centre is the first research and training centre in Poland fully dedicated to the Versius robotic system.

Robotic Surgery Competence Centre: Signing of a Historic Agreement

The key and culminating event of the conference was the grand opening of the Robotic Excellence Centre and the signing of a cooperation agreement.

The agreement was concluded between the Silesian University of Technology and Innovaris (a distributor of CMR Surgical and part of the Anmar Group). The newly established Centre is the first research and training centre in Poland fully dedicated to the Versius robotic system.

The aim of the Centre in Zabrze is to combat the problem of unequal access to modern treatment methods for patients in Poland. The Versius system, which has revolutionised minimally invasive surgery, is distinguished by its modular design and lightweight arms. Marcin Bruszewski, president of Innovaris, emphasised that a systematic approach to training medical teams is key to ensuring that the technology reaches patients throughout the country, regardless of their place of residence..

The centre will conduct training for medical personnel in conditions as close as possible to a real operating theatre, in accordance with the standards of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Ambassador Melinda Simmons noted that the opening of the centre is an example of fruitful British-Polish technological cooperation, which is intended to accelerate the implementation of best practices.

Dr Marcin Kaczmarek, Professor at the Silesian University of Technology and Director of EHTIC, summed up that the centre’s ambition is for Zabrze to become a benchmark for the entire Central and Eastern European region – a place where science, business and clinics work together for the benefit of patients.