This is very good news for students of the University of Zielona Góra. Our University has secured PLN 3 million for the implementation of the project “UZ for Critical Technologies – Biotechnology of the Future.” The programme is designed to increase Biotechnology students’ access to modern equipment and practical training. The best participants will also have the opportunity to undertake a prestigious internship abroad in Boston. The project can also be described as a comprehensive restructuring of the Biotechnology programme.
The aim of the project, developed thanks to the strong commitment of staff from the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences at UZ, experts from the socio-economic environment and the project partner POLBIONICA S.A., is to strengthen Europe’s autonomy and the European Union’s strategic independence.“The pandemic demonstrated the problems caused, among other things, by our dependence on the supply of substrates used in the production of medicines. These technologies also include so-called Deep Tech and resource-efficient technologies. Biotechnology has also been classified as a critical technology. Given the nature of our research, we decided to participate in this project and succeeded in obtaining funding,” explains Dr Beata Machnicka, Associate Professor at UZ, Dean of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences at UZ.
It is worth emphasising that securing the funding is not only a reason for satisfaction. It is, above all, a major logistical challenge. “A reformed curriculum will be introduced soon. We have prepared a modern study programme for both first- and second-cycle studies, adapted to current market needs and critical technologies. This provides an opportunity to introduce new learning outcomes and update the existing teaching content. Thanks to the changes we have introduced and the partnerships established with research and development sector partners, our students will have greater opportunities to undertake professional internships. The two best second-cycle students will also have the opportunity to undertake an international internship in Boston, at a local unit of POLBIONICA S.A.,” adds Dr Beata Machnicka, Associate Professor at UZ, Dean of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences at UZ.
Students of the University of Zielona Góra will have access to specialist training in “Biomaterials in Tissue Engineering and In Vitro Models – Preparation, Characterisation and Application” and “Organoids and 3D Models in Drug Research and Personalised Medicine.”
Students of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences at UZ will thus be able to develop competences in areas including tissue engineering, organoids, 3D bioprinting, research into new medicines, personalised medicine, and cooperation with the research and development sector.
The project “UZ for Critical Technologies – Biotechnology of the Future” forms part of activities aimed at developing critical technologies identified by the European Union.
The project “UZ for Critical Technologies – Biotechnology of the Future” will be implemented in 2026–2029 under the European Funds for Social Development 2021–2027 programme, Priority 1: Skills, Measure 01.05: Skills in Higher Education.The institution responsible for organising the competition is the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR).
Project value: PLN 3,006,644.42
Funding awarded: PLN 2,916,444.42
