As healthcare challenges grow more complex, the 4TU.Federation shows what is possible when disciplines work together. Through the 4TU.Health impact centre, engineers, medical experts, and societal, policy, and industry partners collaborate to shape the future of health and care. Technology is central to this effort, from AI-supported diagnostics to bioengineering. In November 2025, each 4TU university hosted an event showcasing innovation and collaboration across the country.
On November 6, the University of Twente’s TechMed Centre held the annual TechMed Event under the theme Beyond the Breakthrough, emphasizing the transition from innovation to implementation. With 400+ participants, the program featured keynotes, interactive sessions, and the MedTech Experience Centre. Topics included AI in healthcare, cross-border collaboration, and bioengineering. A 4TU.Health session addressed barriers in the MedTech innovation journey, stressing that technological progress must align with clinical needs so innovations benefit patients. Stakeholders were urged to take responsibility for moving MedTech solutions from idea to clinical practice.
On November 20, TU Eindhoven organised MedTech Day 2025 – NeuroConnect with e/MTIC and Kempenhaeghe, focusing on neurology and neurotechnology. Experts explored brain-computer interfaces, AR for Parkinson’s rehabilitation, and AI-powered neuronavigation. A highlight was the 4TU.Health poster competition, where early career researchers presented work on neurodegenerative diseases, mathematical modeling, and digital biomarkers—advancing personalized brain care. Our winners were Rembrandt Bakker and Paria Mansourinezhad.
The EWUU alliance—TU Eindhoven, Wageningen University, Utrecht University, and UMC Utrecht—hosted the Preventive Health Conference 2025 on November 25 in Utrecht. Under the theme Upside Down, the event challenged traditional paradigms by focusing on prevention and the role of the built environment in health. Sessions explored smart homes, data-driven public health strategies, and co-designed digital tools empowering individuals to manage health proactively.
Also on November 25, TU Delft held the Healthcare in Shape Symposium themed Let’s Move Beyond the Pilot – Start with Design. It tackled the challenge of innovations stalling at the pilot phase. By emphasizing human-centered design and iterative development, case studies showed how design thinking, combined with AI and digital twins, can bridge the gap between innovation and implementation.
Together, these events highlight the complementary strengths of the 4TU network. From neurotechnology and AI to preventive health and design-led innovation, the universities of technology commit to a smarter, more inclusive healthcare system. Discussions reinforced the need for early, consistent involvement of patients, clinicians, engineers, and policymakers.
Looking ahead, 4TU.Health will host Bridging Health & Engineering on May 28, 2026, reflecting on achievements from 2022–2025 and co-developing strategic themes for 2026–2030, including imaging, AI, health in the living environment, bioengineering, education, valorization and implementation. A panel of experts from healthcare, industry, and government will help shape our strategy, ensuring 4TU.Health remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation.
