To subscribe or advertise in Business in Vancouver call 604-688-2398
|
To subscribe or advertise in Business in Vancouver call 604-688-2398 |
|
|
|
 |
|
LOG IN Subscribers can log in for enhanced content
The Vancouver Board of Trade Members' Business Directory BUSINESS NEWS BIV EVENTS OTHER EVENTS LEADS/RESOURCES OTHER PUBLICATIONS READER SERVICES ADVERTISE CAREERS ph: 604-688-2398 fx: 604-688-6058 |
BIV Magazines: LifeSciences 2008 HR/Training: Foundation of a bright future Businesses and education institutions are broadening the pool of life science talent in B.C. And students are doing their bit – creating networks and, in some cases, starting their own companies By J.K. Malmgren The thriving life sciences sector in B.C. has been driven in part by industry backing education with new and advancing programs in place for all levels of entry. The diploma program that was created in 2001 at the British Columbia Institute of Technology can lead to a biotechnology degree from the University of British Columbia, and those graduates are already helping B.C. companies to grow (or even growing some companies of their own). Beyond the institutional support, a couple of independent organizations are pushing the possibility of a life science career for secondary and post-secondary students in the science stream and beyond. BioTalent Canada, which evolved out of the Biotech Human Resource Council, is a not-for-profit industry organization that anticipates needs and creates new opportunities, delivering human resources tools, information and skills development to ensure the industry has access to job-ready people. It has taken over the PetriDish online job search program that serves the industry, and has developed some extensive resources for career seekers from high school to post-graduate level. And it administers one of the most successful annual high school science competitions in the country, the Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge (SABC). Now in their 14th year, SABC programs are held in 13 regions across Canada by local biotech and educational organizations in partnership with universities, colleges, government and industry. The cities hosting SABC events include Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto, London, Montreal, Moncton, Halifax, St. John’s and Charlottetown. Each SABC features the outstanding work of high school students who have conducted research projects and experiments of their own design in some area of biotechnology. To date, almost 3,000 students have participated in the program and opened the door to a life science career. “This success is due to the contributions of over 100 partners across the country,” said Mark Lievonen, president of Sanofi Pasteur Ltd. “We are extremely proud to have started this program and look forward to its continued success.” Students are also helping themselves. The Student Biotechnology Network was formed in 2001 largely as a place for students explore interests and research opportunities in the world of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, within school and beyond. Its membership, which has eclipsed 1,500, is made up of undergraduate, graduate and post-doctorate students, whose backgrounds may not always be ‘traditional’ in the scientific sense. “Our network has been continually growing, we’re expanding outside of the scientific arena,” said network president Jennifer Solomon. “There’s just so many opportunities beyond your typical lab work, and companies are now looking for more than just scientific experience.” Part of the network’s initiative is an internship program, which sees gives student members an opportunity to access professionals from B.C.’s leading life science companies. Those opportunities extend through most of the SBN programming. “We have industry professionals from different positions at every event that we have,” added Solomon. That list of events is extensive and successful. The network’s Career Expo and Conference in February this year drew 500 people. It is also partnering with Genome BC to host the 2008 Genomics Forum: Emerging Challenges in Genomics this spring, and last year launched a province-wide biotech speaker series designed to bring the latest issues and advancements to its membership. Part of the network’s growth has been due to the success of its members, past and present. Dr. Ali Tehrani, a co-founder and now president and CEO of Zymeworks, the Vancouver-based computational biotechnology leader, was a founding member of and still sits as a director for the organization. He’s a mentor and what many members see as the perfect role model. “Starting their own company is the goal of a lot of students who come enter this field,” said Solomon. “The network is a great place to learn from the experience of people who have done just that.” • |
|
Comments about this site should be sent to: | |
