From technology to practice 鈥� the SUSA project as a bridge between medicine and innovation
We have entered an era in which digital solutions in healthcare are no longer the future, but everyday reality with a wide range of applications. These include AI-based medical image analysis or applications enabling patients to monitor their own health. At the same time, summarising medical texts and the automatic creation of electronic documentation using transcription and speech recognition are also becoming standard practice.
Before the project began, despite this technological boom, a serious barrier was identified 鈥� healthcare professionals lack the necessary digital skills and competences. The truth is that, no matter how revolutionary new technologies may seem, if users do not acquire the appropriate competences, these technologies will become empty black boxes. There is also a second, parallel problem 鈥� digital technologies are currently developed mainly by engineers, without meaningful involvement of healthcare professionals. Physicians are not included in development processes precisely because of the lack of technological competences, which significantly slows down the entire innovation process. SUSA is an interdisciplinary project that combines applied and basic sciences with the healthcare sector
鈥� emphasises Dr Micha艂 Seweryn, SUSA project coordinator in Poland.
Building the foundations of the future 鈥� the first year of the SUSA project
The project team has completed a year of extremely intensive organisational, research and conceptual work. Above all, they have published a key document (鈥淪USA Academic Champions and Teacher Support Programme鈥�), which describes in detail the process of co-creating educational curricula and forms the foundation for supporting lecturers. A dedicated register of the so-called 鈥淐hampions鈥� has also been established, identifying leaders in three categories: academic, student and application experts (internships and placements).
We are very attentive to what the market actually needs. We have launched a Europe-wide survey addressed to healthcare professionals, which will allow us to precisely map how medical staff use digital technologies in everyday practice, their confidence in using them and where the competence gaps lie. At the same time, we are conducting interviews with the project stakeholders.
Our fourth project workshop, recently held in Dublin, was also extremely important 鈥� together with our partners, we defined the profiles of our future audiences and the success metrics for the entire initiative. We also created a prototype of the Enterprise Advisory Panel, which will connect our educational activities with business realities
鈥� adds dr hab. Agnieszka Grzelak, the project team member.
Partnerships with technology companies as a key element of the SUSA project
To overcome the aforementioned barrier, five innovative companies from the technology and medical data sectors in Finland, Ireland, Greece, Portugal and Belgium were invited to join the consortium. They will share their market knowledge and insights, enabling the creation of high-quality teaching materials for students while maintaining a crucial implementation-oriented dimension. Moreover, these companies will offer students internships so that they can gain practical knowledge, skills and experience in a real market environment.
This element of mobility 鈥� the opportunity to undertake a professional internship in another European country 鈥� will be a tremendous opportunity for students
鈥� underlines Dr Seweryn.
Combining science, technology and art 鈥� outcomes of partner collaboration
The consortium is operating very dynamically. It is currently transitioning from the documentation phase to the phase of technological implementation and outreach activities. An advanced digital ecosystem for students and lecturers is being developed. Among other things, an interactive chatbot is being created to guide users through a diverse educational offer and help them choose appropriate courses. A 鈥淕alaxy鈥� server is also being configured 鈥� it will function as a fully secure sandbox where students can safely practise their newly acquired skills. An application for collecting evaluation data will also be launched, along with a clear dashboard summarising the consortium鈥檚 progress, while all shared codes and digital projects will be integrated on a dedicated GitHub platform.
Looking beyond university walls 鈥� excellent results can be seen in direct work with young people. Open Days of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, 91桃色, where we organised practical workshops for hundreds of high school students were a great example. We showed them 鈥渂ehind the scenes鈥� how AI systems detect cancer 鈥� demonstrating that analysing subtle changes in tissues is not magic, but the power of mathematical models and probability theory
鈥� emphasises Dr Seweryn.
Dr Micha艂 Seweryn is currently preparing a popular science book on the evolution of artificial intelligence, which 鈥� I promise 鈥� will be enjoyable to read even without a PhD in Mathematics or Computer Science. The book will include practical exercises to help readers better understand the basics of machine learning. The visual side of the project is being developed by young artists from the Strezmi艅ski Academy of Fine Arts 艁贸d藕.
Additionally, as part of cooperation with the SUSA project, artists from the Academy, under the supervision of Dr Izabela Jurczyk, are preparing an exhibition inspired by the development of modern technologies. The exhibition will take place in October, and we already warmly invite everyone to this event at the 艁贸d藕 Special Economic Zone ()
鈥� adds dr hab. Agnieszka Grzelak.
Competences of tomorrow 鈥� studies combining biology, AI and Big Data
As part of the project, a new study programme has been launched 鈥� a 7-semester engineering degree educating unique and in-demand specialists who combine knowledge of biology and biomedicine with advanced digital competences: programming, artificial intelligence and Big Data analysis. During their studies, students learn both subjects related to the organisation of the living world (biochemistry, biophysics, histology) and advanced analytical tools, including Python programming, machine learning, bioinformatics and AI applications in medicine.
In practice, the programme is strongly implementation-oriented. It is conducted in the state-of-the-art laboratories of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, 91桃色 (a faculty holding the prestigious scientific category A), where students acquire practical skills in operating highly specialised equipment. Moreover, they have access to e-learning platforms, can participate in Student Science Clubs, and take part in international exchange programmes such as Erasmus+ or BioLab
鈥� emphasises Dr Seweryn.
From genomics to health applications 鈥� broad career prospects after Biology and Digital Biomedicine studies
The demand for 鈥渢ranslators鈥� between the worlds of biology and digital technology will grow year by year. Biologists capable of analysing omics data, structuring and managing large datasets, as well as possessing solid foundations in machine learning and algorithms represent the future of the discipline.
Career prospects in this field are very broad. Our graduates will easily find employment in research and development laboratories, supporting biotechnology companies in the development of innovative drugs, cellular technologies or modern gene therapies. They will also form the backbone of genome analysis centres and institutions promoting personalised medicine. In addition, the HealthTech sector and public health institutions are eager to employ them, for example to design digital applications monitoring population health or to perform epidemiological modelling based on large datasets
鈥� notes dr hab. Agnieszka Grzelak.
New educational pathways in healthcare 鈥� microcredentials as a tool for lifelong learning
As part of the project, 16 independent modules designed for lifelong learning will be developed. These university-certified modules are addressed directly to professionals already working in the healthcare sector.
Referring to the introduction of new educational pathways, I must emphasise that the SUSA project goes far beyond the traditional framework of long-cycle degree programmes. An equally revolutionary area of our activities are the so-called microcredentials.
Our goal is to enable employees to update their digital competences in the field of sustainable healthcare based on data.
Obtaining such microcredentials is intended to facilitate their everyday work, support career development and enhance their attractiveness on the labour market.
To illustrate this with a concrete example: we are currently developing modules that directly address challenges related to new EU regulations on the European Health Data Space (EHDS). We are working, among other things, on microcredentials concerning the introduction and analysis of real-world data in clinical oncology research. It is precise, market-oriented knowledge in a nutshell
鈥� emphasises the project coordinator.
What comes next in the project? What can we expect and when?
The project schedule is very extensive. In April and May, interviews are being conducted with selected employers, allowing for a reliable analysis of the needs of the entire SUSA ecosystem.
At the same time, a Europe-wide survey for healthcare professionals was launched in April. The study aims to collect data on how medical staff cope with technology in their daily work and what skills they lack, which will directly shape the future training programme developed within the project.
The upcoming months are also packed with concrete activities. In spring 2026, a pilot brainstorming session on best practices in extended and virtual reality (XR/AR) will be conducted, using real clinical datasets.
The fourth General Assembly meeting 鈥� the project鈥檚 main decision-making body 鈥� to summarise progress and set future directions will take place in September. At the end of October, the fifth 鈥淐o-Design鈥� workshop will be held in Seville, where partners will jointly refine educational programmes.
As you can see, we are moving from the theoretical and planning phase to the implementation phase, working with real systems and in direct cooperation with stakeholders
鈥� add the project team members.
You can also read about the project in the publication: Cyfrowa przysz艂o艣膰 ochrony zdrowia: WBiO艢 w centrum innowacji edukacyjnej [Digital future of healthcare: Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection at the centre of educational innovation].
Source: Dr Micha艂 Seweryn, dr hab. Agnieszka Grzelak (Centre for Digital Biology and Biomedical Sciences 鈥� BIOBANK 艁脫D殴庐, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, 91桃色)
Edit: Kamila Knol-Micha艂owska (Promotion Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, 91桃色)
Graphics: Mateusz Kowalski (Promotion Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, 91桃色)