On 17 June, the Técnico Innovation Center powered by Fidelidade hosted the 1st edition of the BioPic Forum, an initiative that brought together around 130 students from the Department of Bioengineering for a public presentation of the Integrated Projects (PIC) developed within the scope of the Undergraduate Programmes in Biological Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico.
The event marked the conclusion of the PIC’s teaching activities and showcased the work carried out throughout the year, featuring 68 scientific posters. The projects covered topics, including targeted therapies, medical devices, bioinformatics, environmental sustainability, molecular diagnostics and tissue engineering, among others.
“PIC is a unique curricular unit within the pedagogical journey of Técnico students because it immerses them in problems where the solutions are rarely predetermined or known”, said Nuno Mira, professor and coordinator of the Undergraduate Programme in Biological Engineering at Técnico. “We opted to avoid the traditional presentation formats and organised the event in a ‘more congress-style’ format, allowing students to present and discuss their work with professors who have expertise in their project areas”.
The BioPic Forum programme also included two moments dedicated to knowledge-sharing and experiences: a Master Class on innovation led by Joana Mendonça, the Vice-President of Técnico for Taguspark campus, and the ‘Next Generation Bio’ session, which featured recent graduates from the Department presenting their master’s projects and sharing their academic journeys.
In the afternoon, the forum was open to family members and visitors. “Being able to explain our work to both specialists and non-specialists helps students develop various communication skills, adapting their messages based on the audience”, said Nuno Mira, highlighting the event’s role in enhancing communication abilities.
The professor also emphasised the importance of technical feedback during the event, comparing it to ‘a live peer-review’. He stressed the role of teaching staff in constantly updating: “There’s nothing better than having professors teach in areas where they are also engaged in research. This provides students with a realistic understanding of the challenges and potential within each field”.
The session was attended by Rogério Colaço, President of Instituto Superior Técnico; João Pedro Conde, Head of the Department of Bioengineering; and Miguel Teixeira, President of the Pedagogical Council, all of whom underscored the value of the event as an initiative that enhances the educational experience for Técnico students.
“The importance of learning ‘by doing’ is well recognised, which is why laboratory classes are essential. They provide experiences that students cannot acquire through technologies like ChatGPT” concludes Nuno Mira. “Valuing these classes for the added benefits they offer should be a guiding principle.”
