This is the third Challenge Project which the two organisations have run together.
UTC Cambridge students attended weekly sessions with scientists and business professionals from the MedImmune team to learn about many aspects of a medicine’s discovery and development, including scientific research, manufacturing and regulation. In addition to visiting MedImmune’s state-of-the-art laboratories at Granta Park, students also attended workshops, classes and practical sessions held at UTC Cambridge’s purpose-designed building at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. In addition to gaining exposure to scientific research disciplines, students focused on practical and operational matters such as the importance of team work and collaboration, as well as wider concerns facing patients, government and industry on a global scale.
Jacqui Hall, MedImmune’s Vice President, Learning Standards and Insights, commented: “Exposure to real-world research, and how we cultivate the link between science and medicine, is a key part of exposing students to career possibilities in the life sciences — something that MedImmune and AstraZeneca continue to support in our wider community. This is the third Challenge Project in which we have collaborated, and we are delighted to not only continue offering ‘practical’ content to the students, but also further our relationship with UTC Cambridge — a critical community partner and our future neighbour when we relocate to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.”
Sian Foreman, Principal of UTC Cambridge, commented: “UTC Cambridge continues to be very pleased with the Challenge Project we run with MedImmune, and our students are very enthusiastic about the insights the Challenge Project provides. One of our key objectives is to provide outstanding educational opportunities for learners aged 14-19, so that when they leave us they will be confident, enthusiastic, highly- skilled and qualified to enter higher education, further specialist training, apprenticeships or to move effectively into industry. This initiative with MedImmune forms just part of this offering but is providing immensely valuable learning and insights about pharmaceutical development and the associated career options to all our Year Ten students.”
The Challenge Project ended with each student preparing either a 10-15 minute presentation or scientific poster to answer the specific challenge question posed, sharing this with their classmates as well as staff from both UTC Cambridge and MedImmune. The students who created the five best presentations, as determined by UTC Cambridge, then shared their work with an invited audience of MedImmune’s senior scientists who selected an overall winner to receive the engraved glass ‘2017 Challenge Project’ trophy.
Image: Winning students Dane, Salem, Aman and Gemma
About MedImmune
MedImmune is the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule and biologic prescription medicines. MedImmune is pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across Oncology, Respiratory, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases, and Infection and Vaccines. The MedImmune headquarters is located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, one of AstraZeneca’s three global R&D centres, with additional sites in Cambridge, UK and Mountain View, California. For more information, please visit www.medimmune.com.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three main therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases and Respiratory. The Company also is selectively active in the areas of autoimmunity, neuroscience and infection. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
About UTC Cambridge
UTC Cambridge is a non-fee-paying academy school for young people aged 14-19. A centre of innovation and excellence, providing unrivalled opportunity for young people who believe their future lies in the fields of science and technology. Young people join UTC Cambridge to study GCSEs at age 14, or to study A levels or BTEC at age 16. Students are offered a unique opportunity to achieve traditional qualifications whilst also getting a head start in developing the skills required for exciting and rewarding careers in the twenty-first century. The College is very proud of the outstanding support that it receives from a wide range academic, industry and healthcare providers from across the Greater Cambridge Region that provide students with opportunities that are not normally available in a more traditional school. For more information, please visit www.utccambridge.co.uk
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Pam O'Grady, Parkside Federation Academies, pogrady@parksidefederation.org.uk; +44(0)1223 712600 ext 201
Rowena Gardner, MedImmune: Gardnerr@medimmune.com; +44 (0) 7801 480569
Rebecca Einhorn, MedImmune: einhornr@medimmune.com; +1 301 398 1802
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