Biomaterials education: a challenge for medicine and industry in the late 1990s

To treat diseases or disabilities, medicine and surgery use drugs and/or biomaterials. Devices used in the biomedical sector are often classified as a single sector (biomedical devices) which in reality comprises different market niches requiring appropriate R&D approaches. Throughout Europe, many biomaterials experts participate in formal or informal networks and existing protocols in research. The networks were reinforced by the creation of national and European Meetings, the support of the EC in projects such as Brite Euram. The interdisciplinary nature of the teaching is critical; permanent education and in-job training are imperatives. University researchers in materials science should spin off ideas into campus companies or small industries. A proposal was made for a European Advanced Course on Biomaterials, leading to the degree of Master of Science. A cooperative effort must be chartered, in which leaders in business help the educational system produce the technically literate person that the 21st century will demand.