Under the patronage of the Dean of the College of Engineering, Professor Dr. Jumaa Salman Jiad, the Department of Biomedical Engineering hosted Dr. Hannah Safi, PhD, MIPEM, an esteemed visiting researcher from the United Kingdom, on January 7, 2024.

Meetings and Discussions

Dr. Safi was welcomed by the Dean, accompanied by the Head of the Biomedical Engineering Department, Assistant Professor Dr. Anas Qusay Hashim, as well as faculty members Dr. Hassanain Ali Lafta and Dr. Samar Ali Jaber. The meeting included discussions on fostering academic and research collaboration to advance the academic mission of the Biomedical Engineering Department and learning about the visiting researcher’s work.

Joint Workshop

A joint workshop was organized in the college council hall, attended by the Dean, department faculty, graduate (Master’s and PhD) students, and other academic staff. The workshop featured two key lectures:

1. Lecture by Dr. Hannah Safi:
   Title: “Case Studies Demonstrating the Impact of Biomedical Engineering”
   Dr. Safi presented case studies conducted during her work at medical centers in the UK, showcasing her expertise in biomedical engineering. She highlighted its integration into the healthcare sector through her roles as a lecturer at the University of Manchester and a biomedical engineer at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal Hospital.

2. Lecture by Dr. Samar Ali Jaber:
   Title: “Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research in Biomedical Engineering Department”
   Dr. Jaber presented research directions undertaken with her graduate and undergraduate teams, focusing on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. She highlighted projects conducted to address healthcare challenges in Iraq and their practical applications.

The workshop sparked meaningful discussions among attendees, exploring the practical implementation of research outcomes for Iraq's healthcare sector and opportunities for academic and research collaboration with Dr. Safi.

Laboratory Tours

Dr. Safi was given a detailed tour of the Biomedical Engineering Department's laboratories:

• Medical Devices Laboratory: Graduate and undergraduate students explained the applications of available equipment and demonstrated ongoing research projects.
• Biomechanics Laboratory: Faculty members and students provided insights into projects and equipment use, showcasing their relevance to healthcare applications.
• Prosthetics and Orthotics Department: Accompanied by the department head, Professor Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Samea Abdul-Wahab, Dr. Safi visited specialized labs where engineers (Jasim Mohammed, Noor Basim, Fatima Mahmoud, and Faisal Ahmed) explained the functionality and applications of the laboratory equipment in research and education.

Closing and Acknowledgment

The visit concluded with a meeting between Dr. Safi and the Head of the Biomedical Engineering Department, where future academic and research collaborations with the British university were discussed.

Dr. Safi was honored with a certificate of appreciation presented by the Dean and a commemorative gift from the department, delivered by Professor Dr. Jamal Abdul-Jabbar Hassan, Head of the Scientific Committee.

This visit marked a significant step toward strengthening international collaborations and enriching research at the Biomedical Engineering Department.