WUM at the Mazovia Development Forum

The most important event dedicated to the role of the European Union in the region’s development, i.e. the 13th Mazovia Development Forum, has just ended. There were 15 debates attended by more than 70 experts, including academics from our university. We had our stand as a school at the Forum. It was serviced by experts and students from WUM Medical University of Warsaw.

Debates at the main stage

The event was organized by the Mazovian Unit of the EU Programs Implementation. Speakers on the main stage discussed the potential and competitive advantage of the Mazovia region, the energy transformation and its impact on the growth of cities, and the education system tailored to the challenges of the future. A very interesting debate was entitled Sustainable economy or unlimited innovation: is there a golden mean in business. Among the participants, there was prof. Piotr Pruszczyk, Vice-Rector of WUM for Science and Technology Transfer. The experts deliberated on whether the world of business is indeed capable of considering anything other than maximizing their profits? Concepts such as mission and value were discussed. These are particularly important for projects linked to medicine. The experts pointed out that failure in business or a project failure did not always have to be a bad thing.

Prof. Pruszczyk: – In scientific research, it is often the case that we need tens of thousands of attempts before succeeding. And every subsequent attempt brings us closer to the goal. Before it happens, it is important to build a certain environment, both in terms of technical background and of mindset.

What was happening on the alternative stage

The alternative stage was primarily the place of discussion of startups, trends in promotion, how apps have changed our lives, and how we perceive AI. Further debates were dedicated to regional development and prevention of social exclusion. 

Another very important topic was mental health in contemporary world. Magdalena Łazarewicz, PhD, from WUM Medical University of Warsaw Health Psychology College, took part in the debate entitled How to stop in our daily rush.

Persons on duty at our stand

The Forum participants had the opportunity to consult our academic staff who were periodically available at the WUM stand.  

Kamila Bujko, PhD, and Justyna Jarczak, PhD, from the Regenerative Medicine Lab, as well as prof. Magdalena Kucia as the head of that Lab were on duty as experts in the field of regenerative medicine. Radosław Zagożdżon, PhD hab., head of the Cellular and Genetic Therapies Lab, was answering questions about CAR-T, an innovative cancer treatment. Prof. Rafał Płoski, head of the Medical Genetics Department, and Agnieszka pollak, PhD hab., from that Department were available as experts in the field of human genetics.

Two of our students were also welcoming visitors at our stand:

  • Szymon Hajduk, 4th year WUM Faculty of Medicine student, winner of Brave Camp Incubator UW special award for his design of an app intended to help men with infertility monitor and control the therapeutic process. 
  • Karol Artur Sadowski, 4th year WUM Faculty of Medicine student, originator of the ProfilaktykaFirst app which uses age, sex, body weight, height, predisposition and disease information to generate a personalized, self-controlling schedule of preventative medical exams.