European Alliance for Medical and Biological Engineering Registered!

The EAMBES is finally registered as a European nonprofit organisation and can start its official work. One of the most important issues is attracting new members. The News bring the latest information on the Alliance presented to our readers also in a form of a flyer, downloadable from the html pages of the News.

EAMBES Goals and Mission

What EAMBES does

EAMBES promotes MBES (Medical and Biological Engineering and Science) in

  • the creation of the European Higher Education Area,
  • the creation of the European Research and Innovation Area,
  • the use of health technology in biology, medicine, and healthcare.

Why EAMBES was created

Various MBES communities in Europe are active in research, education, industry and the use of technology in health care. There are several national MBES and trans-European societies in MBES and subfields of MBES (such as artificial organs, biomaterials, biomechanics), and a globally competitive European industry with a large number of SME's. Today in Europe we are seeing a number of developments where the MBES community should be present. We need to get together and speak in "one voice". If we want to promote MBES in Europe we have to agree first on priorities and messages and then deliver and discuss our messages with the relevant national and European bodies. EAMBES has been created to facilitate this process.

EAMBES was established on the two principles:

  • that EAMBES will not compete with existing societies, and
  • that EAMBES will add value to the European scene.

The objectives of EAMBES

The presumption of EAMBES is that in an area as wide as Medical and Biological Engineering and Science, working together will ultimately be of benefit to all of us. Our objectives are to:

  • Serve and promote MBES at European and international levels,
  • Foster, co-ordinate and provide added value to the activities of member organisations in MBES and collaborate, where appropriate, with national and international organisations, particularly with the International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering,
  • Serve and promote MBES education, training, certification, and accreditation,
  • Serve and promote MBES research and development,
  • Recommend the appropriate general responsibilities, organisational relationships and roles of those engaged in the field of MBES,
  • Establish and maintain liaisons with national and European governments and agencies to promote their awareness of the value and importance of M B ES,
  • Promote public awareness of MBES,
  • Improve intersociety relations and co-operation in Europe within MBES and related fields,
  • Encourage and assist in the formation of MBES organisations where such organisations do not exist,
  • Recognise individual and group achievements and contributions to the field of MBES.

Specific focal areas for EAMBES

European Higher Education Area

On June 19th 1999, 29 European Ministers in charge of higher education signed the Declaration on establishing the European Area of Higher Education in Bologna.

EAMBES focuses on furthering the dialogue on the development of education and training curricula in Medical and Biological Engineering and Science, and accreditation of educational courses in Medical and Biological Engineering and Science.
We will represent MBES in this process and will apply for membership in ENQA (European Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education).

European Research and Innovation Area

The European Research Area grew out of the realisation that research in Europe suffers from insufficient funding, lack of an environment to stimulate research and exploit results as well as the fragmented nature of activities and the dispersal of resources.

EAMBES has obtained a grant from the EU Commission to chart European MBES resources.

Use and safety of medical devices

Frameworks, directives and task forces have been set up on national, European and global basis for market access, regulatory convergence, the competitiveness of industry, and the safe use of medical devices in health and health care.

EAMBES's interests range from regulatory work to the safe and effective use of medical devices including management of healthcare technology. Under consideration is the assistance to the Associated Countries in matters relating to the use and safety of medical devices.

Structure of EAMBES

The EAMBES structure is based on a Division for Societies and a Division for Academic Programmes and Research Institutes.

Divisions for Industry and Fellows will be created later. Member Organisations of each Division constitute the General Assemblies of EAMBES and elect 16 representatives to the EAMBES Council. The Council elects the Executive Board (President, Past-President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer). Additionally, Divisions elect their Officers and Division Chairs are automatically members of the EAMBES Council. For a list of the actual elected Interim Council and Officers, please see www.eambes.org and the July 2003 Issue of the IFMBE News at ifmbe-news.iee.org

Membership

EAMBES is registered under Belgian law as a non-profit international organisation. The definition of Europe is the same as used by WHO-Europe.
Organisations (societies, academic and research institutions and industry) with an interest in Medical and Biological Engineering and Science (MBES) are invited to apply for membership in EAMBES.
To download the membership application form and for additional information visit the EAMBES home page
www.eambes.org