EU BIOTECH trainees meet with industry
On 17-18 April 1997, the first meeting of EU BIOTECH trainees, "Industrial Connections to BIOTECH", was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The meeting, organized in cooperation with Novo Nordisk, is part of a series of initiatives aimed at promoting greater integration of EU BIOTECH trainees in the industrial sector, and at increasing trainee awareness of the needs and opportunities of industry. Over the past ten years, the European Commission has awarded almost 1,000 training grants in biotechnology within the framework of four successive EU research programmes in this area (BAP, BRIDGE, BIOTECH I and BIOTECH II). It is, however, a matter of concern that less than 4% of trainees choose to undergo their training in an industrial undertaking and that, after training, only 4% of trainees find a job in industry. This situation deserves particular attention given the rapid growth of the bioscience industry over the past year, with a "dramatic" increase in equity financing and start-up companies in this sector (Ernst & Young 1997 European Biotech Survey). Approximately 100 EU BIOTECH trainees attended this first trainee meeting which was considered to be a great success. The participants, although highly qualified, had, in the great majority of cases, been only marginally exposed to "industrial culture". They were offered a unique opportunity to see how European companies in the various sectors are getting ready for future market challenges, what skills and expertise they need, and the new generation of products they are preparing. Following an introductory presentation by Mr. Bruno Hansen, the Director of the Commission's Life Sciences and Technologies Directorate (DG XII/E), the meeting was structured in eight sessions: - Emerging technologies; - The agro-industry; - Knowledge and skills; - The pharmaceutical industry; - The chemical industry; - Biotech in Europe; - Exploitation of academic inventions; - Environmental issues. At the end of the meeting the participants were interviewed to provide some feedback on the initiative. The great majority (85%) of trainees felt that the information provided made them change their perception of industrial biotechnology research and development. More significantly, nearly all (93%) considered with interest the possibility of applying for a research job in industry, either immediately after their training period (51%) or at a later stage in their career (42%). Given the success of this first meeting, it is expected that similar meetings will be organized on a regular basis over the coming years for the new generation of EU BIOTECH Trainees.