Highlights from 2021 Annual External Exhibition of Innovation Think Tank Siemens Healthineers

The annual external Innovation Think Tank Exhibition (eITT 2021) was held virtually on July 28^th 2021. The eITT 2021 showcased best practices and outcomes from ITT global locations of Siemens Healthineers and partner universities, hospitals, venture capitalists and start-ups.

Having a virtual eITT 2021 virtually enabled participation from various time zones. In his welcoming talk, Prof. Sultan Haider thanked the partner institutions for their continued contribution and collaboration. Dr. Peter Schardt, CTO of Siemens Healthineers gave an inspiring opening speech and talked about the importance of innovation in healthcare. Dr. Christoph Zindel, Member of the Managing Board at Siemens Healthineers, continued the welcoming speeches by highlighting the challenges that healthcare stakeholders faced, and the role of collaboration in the healthcare systems.

The key opinion leaders from all around the world presented their inspiring keynote speeches on the role of innovation and their partnerships with Siemens ITT. In this regard, Ms. Dilek Akgün, Director at UofSC ITT Lab, delivered a talk on the activities of the UofSC Innovation Think Tank Lab. She also shared her views regarding innovation during the pandemic and collaborations with Siemens ITT. Innovation Think Tank at South Carolina University was established in 2019. The ITT Lab at UofSC is the first Innovation Think Tank Lab affiliated with a U.S. university and is an innovation hub where participants including researchers, faculty members, and students can think outside the box to solve issues in healthcare.

“Siemens Healthineers Innovation Think Tank has critical strengths which can inspire a lot of people around the world with its access to the talents all around the world. ITT provides opportunities to multiple people from different backgrounds to work on the same problem. That’s why I find this initiative very important. And I feel, personally, very lucky to be part of this network since 2015, to see how it progresses and how it continues to create the impact of innovation to solve real world problems,” said Ms. Akgün.

The eITT 2021 showcased best practices and outcomes from ITT global locations of Siemens Healthineers and partner universities, hospitals, venture capitalists and start-ups. During the last year alone, ITT has received 12 invitations to set up ITT programs, 10 new ITT activity locations were implemented and over 1000 participants took part in various ITT programs. From an open call for projects, 7 finalists were chosen and the top 3 received awards.