Crossing cultures through higher education in the life sciences
Raj Dam talks about co-op programs at University of Toronto’s Scarborough Campus, preparing students for the workplace and fostering partnerships with industry. (900 words, 4.5 minutes)
In a recent NPC Podcast episode, Raj Dam of the University of Toronto Scarborough described the institution's innovative co-op program, which is transforming student experiences and industry partnerships.
The program, which Dam describes as the department's lifeblood, offers comprehensive support to students as they transition into the workforce. This includes resume preparation, interview training, and guidance on workplace culture. The department also helps students find jobs in their specific areas of interest.
“We have a team of individuals called External Relations Officers that work directly with an industrial segment,” he said. “So we have someone specifically looking at life sciences, someone else specifically looking at health care, someone else looking at technology, etcetera.” He is the assistant director of partnerships and external relations at the university campus.
Dam [pictured below] noted that co-op students can bring benefits to the organizations they work for. For example, most co-op students are young and entering the workforce for the first time, so they get fresh perspectives into the organization. He said they better understand software, technologies, social trends, and cultural aspects than their older counterparts. “Co-op students can also be a great asset for innovative or experimental projects,” he said. “These projects may not be routine, everyday work, but require dedicated time and effort.” He says students can contribute significantly to innovation projects, even if these are not long-term commitments.
During the episode, Dam said fostering partnerships with different industry players is essential for the department. “We are involved with various industry bodies, such as Life Sciences Ontario and BioTalent Canada, among others in the life sciences field,” he said. “We also work on bringing employers to campus and participating in industry events and meetings.”
He added that the University’s student support services department is responsible for data analysis, school coordination, liaising with employers, scheduling interviews, and managing required paperwork. Life sciences programs include physical and environmental sciences, chemistry, and biochemistry, as well as various biology specializations such as conservation, molecular biology, and health studies.
Dam explained that the department approaches partnerships through a structured classification system known as the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). “Our external relations officer responsible for the life sciences segment focuses on this classification,” he said. “That means they are looking at manufacturing, pharma and chemical as one NAICS classification.” He added these officers also engage with companies in sectors such as manufacturing or pharma that align with the school’s programs, including pharmacology, toxicology, and forensics.
The department has a dedicated Business Partnerships Officer who connects with industry bodies and professional associations, such as the Pharma Marketing Association and Life Sciences Ontario. This officer networks with others to establish annual contracts or partnerships, aiming to engage in various events, content productions, and case studies throughout the year. This structured approach mirrors business development strategies commonly used in the for-profit industry, ensuring effective collaboration with industry segments and individual organizations.
“It’s a very structured approach,” he said. “Just like in the for-profit industry, we approach partnerships with an industry segment and individuals or organizations.”
THIS WEEK 06/25/24
Health Canada expanded the marketing authorization for Takeda’s normal immunoglobulin [human] 10% and recombinant human hyaluronidase solution for subcutaneous infusion (HyQvia) as a replacement therapy for primary humoral immunodeficiency and secondary humoral immunodeficiency in pediatric patients two years of age and older.
The U.S. FDA approved Botanix Pharmaceuticals’ sofpironium (Sofdra) to treat excessive underarm sweating in adults and children nine years and older.
Pyros Pharmaceuticals announced that the U.S. FDA has approved vigabatrin (Vigafyde) as a monotherapy for treating infantile spasms in pediatric patients one month to two years of age, where the potential benefits outweigh the potential risk of vision loss.
Biotest received approval from the U.S. FDA for Yimmugo, an innovative intravenous immunoglobulin therapeutic for treating primary immunodeficiencies.
LISTEN UP
In season 12 of the NPC Podcast, Brian Bloom, CEO of Bloom Burton & Co., gives insights into changes in the Canadian Healthcare investment landscape, the return of the generalist investor, and the rise of consumer empowerment in healthcare. Hear him in conversation with podcast hosts Mitch Shannon, Jim Shea, and Mark McElwain.
HEALTHBIZ REWIND
This feature of NPC Healthbiz Weekly looks back at some of the most insightful moments from previous NPC Podcast episodes. In Healthbiz Rewind, you’ll read bold life sci predictions made during the renowned “Prognostication Korner” segment of the NPC Podcast.
Lisa Mullett
Senior Vice President and General Manager
Sumitomo Pharma Canada, Inc.
Season 02, episode 01
Listen to this episode here
Do you have any tips on new strategies or digital engagement tools that are making a difference in bringing value to your customers? (This episode was recorded in September of 2020)
There are some pretty amazing technologies out there. I’ve participated in using the Miro technology, which is an opportunity to use virtual whiteboarding. I also think Zoom allows people to go into breakout rooms, and you can have people all with a common interest or a common subject go into breakout rooms, brainstorm, and come back. Those things I think are being underutilized at this point. Microsoft Teams has some engagement opportunities, such as polls and some interactivity elements that are going to make it more interesting. So, I think we’ll have to learn to evolve the skills, make them more interactive, and not expect you to hold an hour of people’s attention in a learning program. We need to find ways to meet and customize how people want to be engaged.
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