Better research, better treatments
Some universities in Member States that recently joined the EU need to improve their research capacity and output. One of these is the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Rijeka, Croatia. Raising the standard was the task of the TRANSMEDRI project. The single-member project ran for 3 years up to June 2013, and received EUR 1.8 million in EU funding. The project addressed the lack of a competitive research environment at the University, and loss of staff to more attractive positions abroad. Hence, it aimed to build research capacity and strengthen collaboration with the EU, culminating in integration with the European Research Area (ERA). The project focused on translational medicine in the fields of cancer and infectious diseases. Instead of producing scientific results, the project was intended to bring about changes in the local working context of those fields. TRANSMEDRI successfully achieved its goals. The project recruited 11 experienced researchers and one administrative/financial assistant. Furthermore, the project acquired eight key pieces of equipment relevant to its focus areas of medicine, doing so via public tender. The third goal was achieved through short visits of established scientists to Rijeka, and visits abroad for training purposes by 22 young researchers. The project also organised and hosted a total of nine workshop events, all intended as training sessions. Furthermore, the project planned and staged three conferences. TRANSMEDRI achieved its aim of making the Rijeka institution more visible both regionally and internationally. This was accomplished via a range of tools, including the project website, participation at international conferences and seminars, press releases, and journal articles. The project's public promotion activities included popular science articles plus radio and television interviews. Ultimately, the institute’s improved capacity for research and collaboration in translational medicine will assist with developing treatments for medical complaints such as perinatal viral infection. This will also contribute to regional, social and economic development.
Keywords
Translational medicine, competitive research, cancer, infectious diseases
