– Written by Mamta Gawade, PHUSE APAC Blog Lead

As part of PHUSE’s Academia Meet initiative, it was an honour to be invited as a guest speaker last year at K J Somaiya College – my alma mater – and share my experiences and insights with their current students.

The visit was centred on clinical research and the myriad career opportunities it presents. Standing in front of the crowd, I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The sight of familiar faces in the auditorium brought a flood of emotions. It was a proud moment for me, 15 years on, to give back to the institution that has played such an important role in shaping who I am today. As I began speaking, I could sense the students’ curiosity. I shared anecdotes from my time as a student, emphasising the importance of perseverance, determination, and having a strong support system. I encouraged them to dream big, never fear failure, and always stay true to themselves.

When the session ended, I felt a profound sense of accomplishment and fulfilment, and the students’ faces mirrored my own inspiration and hope. The Q&A session that followed allowed for an open and engaging dialogue, and further opportunities for me to reflect on my experiences and connect with the students on a deeper level.

It was a humbling experience, which reminded me of the importance of giving back and inspiring the next generation. I was reminded that education is not just about imparting knowledge but also about learning and growing as individuals. Universities and industries are two important pillars of innovation and progress. When these two pillars join forces, they create a powerful partnership for addressing real-world problems and driving positive change. Here are three benefits of universities and industries coming together:

• Teaming Up: Universities are able to incorporate trends, developments and practices into their curriculums. When students are exposed to the latest industry trends and practices, they can stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the demands of the job market.

• From Theory to Reality: Collaborating with industries allows universities to bring their research and theories to life. It’s like turning a concept into action. The success of university spinouts and private partnerships proves what can happen when both sides have a vested interest and are held accountable to one another and their stakeholders.

• Knowledge Exchange: Industry–academia collaboration is like a knowledge exchange programme. It is crucial for high-growth ecosystems to thrive and significantly contributes to sustainable innovation.

By bringing together the academic expertise of universities and the practical know-how of industries, these partnerships in India have led to groundbreaking innovations and advancements across a wide range of fields. Industry–university collaboration is therefore a win-win!

For colleges and universities, it is time to embrace the potential of industry collaboration and seek partnerships that can benefit academic and business communities. By developing new programmes or courses with industry and creating dedicated spaces for industry professionals to work alongside researchers and students, we can accelerate product development, expand market reach, and ultimately achieve further tremendous success.

We understand the importance of connecting ambitious young minds with industry. The PHUSE mission to bridge the gap between academia and the pharmaceutical industry, foster innovation, and provide students with the skills and knowledge they need for successful careers is off to an encouraging start. The 15+ visits so far have given students first-hand exposure to how business works. The University Connect offers opportunities for students to learn about the latest technology trends and make up their minds about their future job or area of interest before becoming a part of it.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for this exciting journey of knowledge exchange and collaboration. Let’s all work towards building more partnerships and achieving amazing things together.

One of the most rewarding ways for you to give back is by volunteering as a student mentor or career coach. Students find it extremely helpful to be guided through the ins and outs of starting their careers or traversing the job market. The more opportunities you have to coach current students through important stages of their collegiate and professional careers, the more inspired you will be to play an even bigger role as an alumnus/a.

How will you contribute to future-proofing the next generation? Connect with me via LinkedIn at Mamta G. | LinkedIn or send me an email at Mamta.Gawade@phuse.global, and I’ll share my ideas with you.

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About the author:

Mamta Gawade has 15+ years of experience in clinical research across clinical operations, clinical data management, audit and compliance, and clinical trial budgeting in global settings (Americas, EMEA and APAC). She has held leadership roles at CROs and currently manages the Oncology and Immunology R&D Assets from a budgeting, financials and pricing perspective. She is passionate about bringing a patient-centric approach to clinical trials and achieving health equity.

Mamta is a microbiologist and holds a bachelor’s degree from Mumbai University and a master’s degree from SMU in clinical research. She trained in management at IIM Ahmedabad in building strategies and senior leadership. She is a global leader and is associated with PHUSE (APAC Blog Lead), HBA Advocate, HIMSS (Startup Committee Member) and IIMA SIG Healthcare (Volunteer). Mamta is a member of ASCO, ESMO, ISO and ISCR.

Mamta has volunteered with PHUSE since 2022. As APAC Blog Lead, she oversees all PHUSE Blog activities in the Asia Pacific region.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog post are solely based on the author’s experiences and opinions, and do not necessarily reflect those of their employer or the company they work for. Any information, advice or recommendations provided should not be considered official or endorsed by their employer or company and should be used at the reader’s discretion.