A highlight of the Amgen Scholars Program, the symposium will bring together undergraduate students, industry and academic leaders as well as Amgen senior executives for learning, sharing and networking
SINGAPORE (August 01, 2019) – Amgen’s corporate philanthropy arm, The Amgen Foundation, today announced that the first Amgen Scholars Asia Symposium will be held in Singapore from August 3 – 4, 2019. Hosted by the foundation in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS), the symposium will bring together more than 60 Amgen Scholars across Asia, speakers from Kyoto University, NUS, Tsinghua University, The University of Tokyo, and senior executive leaders from Amgen Inc.
The two-day symposium is the signature component of the Amgen Foundation’s flagship Amgen Scholars Program, a hands-on research program that allows undergraduates to spend a summer at one of the world’s premier research institutions. Scholars will get to explore areas of research beyond the typical scope of their regular undergraduate education, under the mentorship of a faculty member. The unique experiential training culminates at the symposium where Scholars get to discuss their summer research projects, learn more about biotechnology and scientific careers, network with other Scholars and hear firsthand from leading industry and academic scientists.
Emily Razaqi, Vice President, Site Operations at Amgen Singapore Manufacturing said, “Many of the most disruptive changes and greatest advances are taking place in the life sciences sector. With the Asia-Pacific region undergoing profound and rapid population changes, these communities are aging at an unprecedented pace. More than ever before, we need to prepare and inspire the next generation of scientists to ensure the future of innovative discoveries. We are pleased that the Amgen Foundation is partnering with NUS to advance excellence in science education, and believe the Amgen Scholars Program will empower aspiring scientists in Singapore and across Asia to connect the dots between genetics and innovative treatments. This program leads the way for Amgen Scholars to learn about many different scientific career paths, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and growth of the healthcare and biomedical sectors in Singapore and the region.”
Associate Professor Henry Mok, Deputy Head, Department of Biological Sciences at the NUS Faculty of Science said, “We are thrilled to partner with Amgen to host the first ever Amgen Scholars Symposium in Asia at NUS. As one of the top universities in the region, we believe in equipping our students with the skills they need to be future-ready graduates. Our continued partnership with the Amgen Foundation symbolizes this commitment, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration and future Scholars Symposiums.”
The two-day symposium will see the Amgen Scholars participate in a variety of activities, including lecture sessions on biotechnology topics, and a poster competition where they present their summer research projects to the senior Amgen leaders and academia from the various universities. Students will also have opportunities to network and learn from senior Amgen executives, including Dr. Cen Xu, Scientific Director, Neuroscience at Amgen who has discovered and developed the treatment to help prevent migraine, Arleen Paulino, Senior Vice President, Global Manufacturing at Amgen and Eduardo Cetlin, President of the Amgen Foundation and Executive Director, Philanthropy and Responsibility at Amgen.
Beyond their judging panel duties, the executives will also share their career development journeys, their thoughts on hot topics including work-life balance and risk-taking as well as their work and passion in advocating for gender diversity in the STEM industry.
The Scholars will round off the symposium with a tour at Amgen’s manufacturing site in Singapore, including the Next-Generation Biomanufacturing facility, Amgen’s Chemical Synthesis Manufacturing facility and the NextGen Process Development Laboratory.
Since 2014, the Amgen Scholars Program invited undergraduate students from Singapore to participate in an eight-week research program hosted by universities in Japan. In November 2018, the Amgen Scholars Program in Asia expanded its reach to include NUS as well as Tsinghua University as host institutions. This four-year, US$21 million global investment in 24 top institutions worldwide, including Singapore, aims to engage undergraduates in Singapore, as well as East and Southeast Asia through research opportunities to nurture a pipeline of talent for a sustainable and future-ready workforce.
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About the Amgen Foundation
The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance excellence in science education to inspire the next generation of innovators and to invest in strengthening communities where Amgen staff members live and work. To date, the Foundation has donated over $300 million to local, regional and international nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. For more information, visit www.AmgenInspires.com and follow us on Twitter at @AmgenFoundation.
More information about the Amgen Scholars Program
Launched in 2006, the Amgen Scholars Program has made research opportunities at premier institutions possible for more than 4,000 undergraduate students from over 700 colleges and universities globally. Of those undergraduate alumni, nearly 900 are currently pursuing an advanced graduate degree in science, and another 280 have earned their Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D. More than 500 are employed in scientific fields across 33 countries.
24 premier educational and research institutions currently host the Amgen Scholars Program across the U.S., Europe, Asia and, for the first time, Australia and Canada. They include Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Melbourne, Yale University, University of Cambridge and Stanford University, among others. The Amgen Scholars Program aims to break down barriers for many students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to engage in science at the world’s top educational and research institutions. Financial support for students is a critical component of the program, which seeks to ensure that eligible students, regardless of their financial status, can participate.
Contact:
Amgen, Singapore
Mindy Chee, +65 6675-0754 (media)
National University of Singapore
Carolyn Fong, +65 6516-5399 (media)
Edelman, Singapore
Lim Min Qi, +65 6494-1404