Bristol, UK - September 13th, 2013. The inaugural World Research and Innovation Congress (WRIC) organised by UK-based Research Media Ltd, who produce the Research Media International Innovation series of publications, proved a resounding success. Staged in Brussels, this year’s event entitled ‘Pioneers in Healthcare’ attracted a worldwide audience of senior scientific healthcare representatives, and many delegates have already expressed their interest in attending the follow-up, WRIC 2014, which is currently being organised.
Healthcare research is undeniably pivotal to society and the aim of WRIC health events is both to support that research, and to explore how innovation may help to address current regional and global health challenges. Màire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science said: “The congress aims to bring together key stakeholders in healthcare research to discuss the most important issues impacting our efforts to address the ‘Grand challenges’ of tomorrow”. She stressed that the importance of collaborating internationally to address these Grand Challenges cannot be understated.
The two day inaugural event brought together important healthcare representatives comprising NGOs, the private sector, researchers, institutions, funders and policy makers in scientific healthcare, allowing them all to share research results and future plans, as well as to network and collaborate. “Realising the efficacy of partnerships relies upon the communication and sharing of results, plans, resources and lessons learned by all international stakeholders” continued Marie.
The congress featured topical presentations by leading figures in the scientific healthcare arena, such as Professor Anne Glover, Chief Adviser to the President of the European Commission and Carl Schlyter, Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. Topics for discussion included ‘science for health’ and ‘boosting drug development through public-private partnerships’.
Feedback from the event has been incredibly positive. Dr Erika Wichro, Medical University of Graz, Austria, said: “If someone is working in healthcare and wishes to actively contribute towards system progress, I would say come and exchange with others. I found WRIC 2013 to be one of the most enriching opportunities to get inspired by speakers and interact with research colleagues. I am looking forward to next year’s event.”
For Uschi Keszler, founder and CEO of Pennies in Action Foundation, sponsoring the event was particularly beneficial. She said: "Attending the World Research and Innovation Congress 2013 in Brussels was a very important activity for us and we received exactly what we were promised. It was an extremely impressive event – amazing! We have built a number of key contacts and collaborations directly from the event. The WRIC staff were excellent and the quality of attendees was top class, so we are looking forward to WRIC 2014."
Rita Andrews, Events Director, Research Media said: “Thank you to all those who attended, sponsored and spoke at the event. This is the first congress of its kind that we have organised and from feedback received, it has proved a resounding success and just what scientific healthcare professionals are looking for. This will be an annual event with planning now well underway for WRIC 2014.”
To view all of the presentations from the event visit: www.worldresearchcongress.com.
Details of the 2014 Congress will be announced shortly. To hear about the date and news for next year’s event, contact: rita[at]worldresearchcongress[dot]com.
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For press information, contact:
Priscilla Dibble at Research Media,
Tel: 01172 232 190
Email: pdibble[at]researchmedia[dot]eu
Notes to editors:
Research Media Ltd is based in Bristol. The International Innovation range of publications include key analysis and information on current research trends, funding, policy issues, partnership challenges and translational research. Research Media works with academics, funding agencies and stakeholders in the pursuit of effective dissemination.
Distributed on behalf of Research Media Ltd by NeonDrum news distribution service (http://www.neondrum.com)