Training tomorrow’s Medical Innovators

New MSc announced ahead of BioWales 2016

A new Master’s programme to train tomorrow’s medical innovators has been launched by Cardiff University.

The move is in response to the growing demands of both medical professionals and patients for advancements in healthcare.

The Medical Research and Innovation MSc has been developed in conjunction with industry partners in the biotechnology and healthcare sectors. It will ensure students receive high quality training aligned with the latest developments in medical innovation.

The MSc has been announced ahead of BioWales 2016 on St David’s Day (Tuesday 1 March). The flagship conference and exhibition for the life sciences in Wales, BioWales brings together innovators, industry and academics from across the world to develop tomorrow’s life science technologies.

Professor Ian Weeks, Associate Dean for Clinical Innovation said: “Cardiff University prides itself on being at the forefront of innovation. It felt right to be using this knowledge and expertise to train the medical innovators of the future. The programme provides graduates with advanced knowledge, understanding and skills in the rapidly evolving fields of diagnostics, medical device development and clinical innovation management. It’s an exciting new programme and we’re confident graduates will benefit from the experience.”

Dr Stuart Woodhead, Managing Director of Invitron Ltd - a global supplier of high quality diagnostic test kits based in Monmouth – said: “The Medical Research and Innovation Masters programme will help keep Wales at the forefront of clinical innovation. Graduates with an in-depth understanding of fields including diagnostics and medical device development will have the skills to help translate research directly into products and services that will benefit companies in this sector and also bring wider prosperity to Wales.”

All teaching is delivered via eLearning, providing flexibility for today’s medical professionals. Assessments are rooted in ‘real world’ application to ensure students can apply their skills at work.

The programme forms part of Cardiff’s push to exploit clinical innovation across the University. Cardiff already has a thriving innovation culture - connecting industry, business, and government with academics, nurturing student entrepreneurship and championing grass-roots business development.

A new £300m Cardiff Innovation Campus will help academics and public and private sector partners turn research questions into ‘real world’ answers. It will provide the facilities needed to bring business, government, the voluntary sector and civic society together in all arenas including the life sciences, engineering and manufacturing, and the creative and digital economies.