BIOMEDICAL CAMPUS UNIVERSITY OF ROME AND INTESA SANPAOLO FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH AND FUTURE SKILLS

A Global Health Observatory and a Laboratory with six young researchers from different countries around the world are launching to promote enabling technologies in the National Health System. They were presented at the event with UCBM of “Build your Future”, Intesa Sanpaolo's program to inspire young people on transformative trends and key skills for the jobs of the future

Rome, 29 October 2024 - Digitalization, dematerialization, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, big data They can provide a powerful boost to improving the efficiency of healthcare systems in a rapidly evolving and complex environment. Having timely access to the necessary information allows for more informed decision-making: to drive innovation in healthcare, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and Intesa Sanpaolo have launched the Global Health Observatory supported by the European Commission and the Ministry of University and Research. 

The Observatory will be directed by Prof. Leandro Pecchia, full professor of Biomedical Engineering and President of the Master's Degree Course of the same name at theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and has the aim of promote the sustainable adoption of technological innovations for the reorganisation of health services and contribute to generating a significant impact in the health and wellness sectors. In early 2025, it will be the first study on the possibilities of adopting technologies by the national health system has been published support the creation of an Italian supply chain for innovation in the silver economy. 

The project was presented in front of more than 800 students during the stage in UCBM Build Your Future, the program of meetings conceived by Intesa Sanpaolo and created in collaboration with schools and universities, to engage 10.000 students from across Italy and inspire them on the major transformative processes of society such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, the blue and space economy, life sciences, and others. 

A research laboratory has been set up next to the Observatory Coordinated by Professor Pecchia, the project aims to identify barriers to the adoption of enabling technologies in the National Health System and engage with companies, healthcare agencies, and industry. The Laboratory will also serve as an incubator for initiatives such as staff education and training and research project dissemination. 

Observatory and Laboratory involve six young researchers from Italy, Spain, Brazil, Ethiopia, Benin and the UK: a multidisciplinary team with doctors, engineers, economists, computer scientists and a philosopher expert in bioethics. The laboratory has already attracted important European funding for the design and development of new Proof of Concept for Ebola, the greening of hospitals, the integration of treatments for cardiovascular patients by networking centers of excellence and the territory, the growth of the culture of research-based teaching in African countries. The projects have a total value of over 20 million euros, of which approximately 20% from Italian partners. 

Elisa Zambito Marsala, Head of Education Ecosystem and Global Value Programs Intesa Sanpaolo, has ofchiarato: "With Build Your Future, we're meeting with young people across Italy to raise their awareness of the social and economic impact of major global transformations and the skills needed to address them. Among these, life sciences play a special role in a country facing the demographic challenges of an aging population. Thanks to our close collaboration with Campus Bio-Medico University, a leading academic institution for integrating innovative teaching and scientific research, we've promoted a Global Health Observatory with researchers from around the world. Intesa Sanpaolo strongly believes in supporting research, nurturing talent, promoting international exchanges, and attracting talent." 

Andrea Rossi, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma commented: “The birth of the Observatory and Laboratory on global health that we created together with Intesa Sanpaolo represents, for theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, a further step forward towards one of our main objectives: providing precise guidance on the country's health needs and initiating research and testing of concrete solutions for people's well-being. The challenge is for everyone: doctors, engineers, biologists, nutritionists, healthcare managers, and field professionals. We want to be key players in major changes to healthcare systems like the Italian one, making a concrete contribution so that enabling technologies can support the efficient functioning of a public service that is envied by the entire world and still has room for improvement. 

The broadest synergy with Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma is part of the commitment of Intesa Sanpaolo which, through the Education Ecosystem and Global Value Programs structure led by Elisa Zambito Marsala, In line with the EU's strategic research agenda and the fourth Mission of the PNRR, it promotes collaborations with universities and schools through research support, scholarships, and teaching positions to foster educational inclusion, promote merit, enhance the attractiveness of universities, and contribute to the economic and social growth of local communities and the country as a whole. 

Intesa Sanpaolo has promoted a permanent Observatory, Look4ward, The aim of this study is to identify the need for new skills and to demonstrate that the professions of the future will increasingly be characterized by the fusion of vertical technical knowledge, transversal skills, and interpersonal skills. In 2023, the Group, led by the Managing Director and CEO Carlo Messina has involved over 2000 schools and universities, and 4.000 more are planned over the 2022-2025 Business Plan period.