Costa Rica Biomedical Engineering Training Workshops

Initiative Overview 

As the world continues to evolve, producing new technologies, opportunities, and concepts to propel industries forward, developing and reskilling workforces is critical to ensure continued success. In response to the rapidly growing medical device sector in Costa Rica, Arizona State University (ASU) and Universidad Latina de Costa Rica (ULatina) have partnered to introduce a series of stackable industry workshops focused around the priority areas of Industrial Automation, Polymers and Biomaterials, and best practices in Medical Device Design and Development.

These workshops will be facilitated in a virtual format by subject matter experts from ASU and ULatina. The outlined priority areas are broken down into 9 complimentary workshops, which can be stacked into 3 specializations and a certification.

* Specialization can also be offered as a custom training program to individual company.

Development Tracks: 

ASU in partnership with ULatina, CINDE and the Medical Device Cluster in Costa Rica, have developed a series of highly focused workshops. These workshops are delivered by experienced faculty and industry practitioners who will strike the right balance of theory and application to quickly and efficiently upskill the workforce at medical device companies in Costa Rica. These topics have been identified as high priority areas by the Cluster, based on the current manufacturing processes for devices produced in the country. 

To learn more about the three workforce development tracks for the medical device industry, please visit the registration pages for each one.

Delivery Format: Initially, workshops will be offered virtually through Zoom. Once it is deemed safe to do so, the format of the workshops could change from online to in-person. Further details will be released regarding the change once determined. The change will not occur in the middle of a workshop.

Participant FAQs 

What is the minimum and maximum number of registrants needed to hold the workshop?
The minimum number of registrants to hold the workshop is 15 participants. The maximum is 30 participants. 

Will workshops be presented in English or Spanish?
If ASU is teaching or facilitating the session, the workshop will be presented in English. If Universidad Latina de Costa Rica will be teaching or facilitating the workshop, the delivery could be in English or Spanish. Participants should be able to read and communicate in English to partake in the workshops. 

Are late registrations allowed?
At this time, late registrations will not be permitted. The registration deadline is listed under each workshop.

How many employees can I register from my company?
Companies will be allotted an equal number of seats for each workshop. Medical device companies have priority on workshop seats. If not all seats are filled by companies from the medical device cluster, those seats will be released to other non-medical device companies for registration prior to the beginning of the workshop.

Where can I find how much each workshop will cost?
The cost for each workshop can be found under the listing of each individual workshop. 

Where can I register for a workshop? 
Participants can register for a workshop by selecting the ‘Register’ button associated with each workshop on the listings page. Registration for all offered workshops can be found here: https://na.eventscloud.com/bmeworkshops2021. 

What are my options for payment? 
Registrations can be paid via credit card or wire transfer. If you’re paying with a credit card, please select the ‘QuikPay’ option on the registration website to submit your payment. If you would like to pay by wire transfer please select the ‘invoice’ option on the registration website and email Meghan Gibson, senior program coordinator at Arizona State University, at meghan.gibson@asu.edu for the transfer information. Wire transfers will be subject to a $25 additional fee for processing.

Registrations must be paid in full prior to the beginning of the workshop.

Will workshops only be offered virtually?
At this time, workshops will only be held in a virtual setting for the safety of participants and instructors. The current coronavirus pandemic continues to be monitored. When it is deemed safe, the workshop format will evolve to an in-person setting.

I’m interested in holding a workshop privately with my company employees. Is that an option and who can I work with to coordinate?
Yes, companies may take advantage of a private workshop customized more to their organization for company employees. To discuss further, please email Meghan Gibson, senior program coordinator at Arizona State University, at meghan.gibson@asu.edu.  

Who will provide the certification? Will participants receive a copy of their certificate?
Arizona State University will provide the professional certification. Participants that complete a workshop will be provided an electronic copy of their certificate of completion at the workshop’s conclusion. Participants that successfully complete a specialization or certification will receive both an electronic copy and hard copy of their certificate. 

When will I receive the information to access the workshop Zoom meeting?
Information on how to log into the Zoom meeting will be emailed to registrants following the registration deadline for the workshop. The information will be sent to the email provided on the participant’s registration. The registration cost must be paid in full before a participant receives the workshop information.

Who do I contact if my question isn’t answered or if I’m having trouble registering?
Please contact Meghan Gibson, senior program coordinator at Arizona State University, at meghan.gibson@asu.edu if you have further questions or need assistance registering.