LifeTech ITS Academy was established in 2014 through the shared vision of local entrepreneurs, secondary schools, research institutions, and healthcare companies operating in the life sciences sector of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. Its mission: to meet the region’s growing demand for specialized training in biomedical technologies and healthcare innovation.
LifeTech ITS Academy is rooted in the vibrant scientific and medical landscape of Trieste, Italy—a city long recognized for its commitment to research and innovation. In the early 1980s, the construction of Cattinara Hospital led to the creation of Italy’s first Clinical Engineering Department. This milestone sparked a strong partnership with the University of Trieste, which launched the country’s first Clinical Engineering degree program. Over the past three decades, this program has trained the majority of Italy’s clinical engineers.
In the late 1980s, the Trieste-based TBS Group emerged as a pioneering company in biomedical technologies. Its international expansion to over 20 countries helped put the region’s biomedical expertise on the global map.
TBS Group played a key role in founding the LifeTech ITS Academy. Other founding partners include the Alessandro Volta State Technical Institute, Area Science Park, the Municipality of Trieste, the University of Trieste, the Giuliano Isontina University Health Authority (ASUGI), and the Western Friuli Healthcare Authority (ASFO).
Together, these stakeholders developed LAB3 (LABoratory for Advanced Technology in Healthcare Repair Training and Education), an interactive educational lab that replicates a real hospital environment—complete with fully functional biomedical equipment. The lab serves as a hands-on training center for students, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
LifeTech ITS Academy was created in alignment with the Smart Specialization Strategy of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, part of the European Union’s structural funds initiative. One of the key goals of this strategy is to provide local industries with highly qualified professionals by promoting innovation and technology transfer through specialized training.
Lab3 (Laboratory for Advanced Technology in Healthcare Repair Training and Education) is the first laboratory in Europe entirely dedicated to the training of biomedical equipment technicians. Designed to accurately replicate a hospital environment, it features a fully functional operating theatre and specialized rooms for X-ray and CT imaging. This setup allows students to engage in highly realistic simulations, practicing the maintenance of medical equipment and the development of products that adhere to hospital standards and safety protocols.
In addition to the biomedical lab, LAB3 includes a Health IT Lab, where students gain hands-on experience in the design, development, management, and maintenance of healthcare IT systems. These include electronic health records (EHRs), Radiology Information Systems (RIS), Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), and Laboratory Information Systems (LIS).
Established in 2019, LAB3D is a cutting-edge facility that supports training in the biomedical applications of Industry 4.0 technologies. The lab is equipped with advanced tools for 3D printing (additive manufacturing) as well as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), offering students an immersive, forward-thinking learning environment.
3D printing plays a growing role in the biomedical field—from creating custom prosthetics and prototypes for clinical tools, to producing spare parts for medical devices and aids for patients with disabilities or chronic conditions. Meanwhile, VR, AR, and MR technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent in healthcare—from operating rooms to outpatient clinics—supporting early diagnosis, rehabilitation, staff training, and equipment maintenance. These technologies also provide a low-risk, guided learning environment, allowing students to make mistakes safely and learn through realistic, interactive simulations.
