Did you know that more than 55% of India’s population are under 25 years old, and more than 65% – that’s over 808 million people – are under 35? (reference 1 and 2).
India has the world’s largest youth population, a fact that presents both an immense opportunity and a unique challenge.
So, what if the gap was bridged between industry and academia in India, unlocking the potential of its vast, dynamic generation?
This was the seed of an idea planted last year by PHUSE’s APAC Director, Sarvesh Singh.
The Challenge
Improving the disparities in educational access across the country is crucial to harnessing the potential on offer. If the youth population are properly educated, skilled and employed, this could result in enormous opportunity for social change and economic growth in India.
“Youths are a source of creativity, innovation, and resilience. It’s a ripe time for India to make best use of this, being the youngest nation of the world. Now the time has come for Industry and Academia to get together and help each other.”
– Sarvesh Singh, PHUSE APAC Director
Sarvesh recognised a reoccurring challenge in both corporate and academia environments – a disconnect between the rapid pace of industry demands and the depth of academic research. Companies were often struggling to find talent and innovative solutions that align with their evolving needs, while academic institutions have brilliant research and emerging talent that weren't fully tapping into practical, real-world applications.
This gap highlighted the necessity for a structured collaboration platform – welcome PHUSE Academia Meets.
PHUSE’s Solution
Academia Meets are university and college visits that PHUSE representatives are making across the country with the following objectives:
• Share insights into career opportunities and development within the pharmaceutical industry
• Offer opportunities for students to learn about the latest technology trends
• Understand students’ challenges and identify how PHUSE can help
• Work with professors to help shape and update syllabuses to prepare students for the industry
Click here to watch the video!
What We’ve Achieved
Since the first visit took place in January 2023, PHUSE’s India team has conducted more than 20 Academia Meets – including one to the first women’s university in India: C.U.Shah College of Pharmacy. Covering over 12 cities across India, we’ve met with thousands of students undertaking a wide variety of courses including biotechnology, computer science, life sciences, mathematics and statistics in the first Indian healthcare industry-academic collaboration of its kind.
Through strong branding and marketing, this initiative has flourished, contributing vital blocks to a bridge that is empowering India’s youth and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
The feedback has been incredible, with one student from a college in Chennai stating:
“The PHUSE Academia Meet not only enhanced our academic curriculum but also ensured that industry practices stay at the forefront of scientific and technological progress, ultimately contributing to the overall growth and efficiency of the clinical research ecosystem. I am excited to apply the knowledge gained from this workshop in my future endeavours and contribute to the advancement of clinical information.”
– Murali Krishna, Student at Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science & Technology, Chennai
And How We Achieved It
At PHUSE’s core is an immense passion for our collaborative work and our collective purpose. As a volunteer-led and not-for-profit global organisation, our community platform promises connection and knowledge sharing, which, ultimately, drives development in life sciences. We’re committed to providing open access to knowledge resources for industry professionals.
We make sure to capture the memorable moments of the visits through photographs and write ups allowing us to create summaries that highlight the impactful experiences and interactions exchanged. What started out as a blog, has since been permanently incorporated on the PHUSE website as a dedicated ‘Academia Meet’ area, enhancing its visibility to a wider audience.
To further develop and amplify our brand, Mamta Gawade, an India-based PHUSE Ambassador, has taken a leading role in promoting the Academia Meets initiative by sharing her own experiences. This includes an Academia Meet visit she carried out herself at her alma mater, K J Somaiya College of Science & Commerce, where she studied 15 years ago. Through her passionate efforts, Mamta has become a powerful marketing force for PHUSE, helping to expand our reach and impact across the country.
A focus on building a robust brand and sharing positive experiences has laid the foundation for a powerful partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PHUSE and the Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) – an association founded in 1966 dedicated to creating better intercommunication and promotion of excellence in pharmacy education, and we are proud to collaborate in this mission.
The Journey is Not Over!
Taking it back to 11 years ago, PHUSE’s journey in India began in 2013 with the introduction of our Single Day Events – one-day, free-to-attend events based on a key industry topic. This has continued to grow over time and PHUSE now welcomes an impressive demand of 1300+ registrations annually – we have now expanded our offerings to hold four Single Day Events in India per year (and need to do so on a ballot system to manage the demand!).
Since launching the Academia Meets, PHUSE has not only begun to tackle important geographical and educational challenges but have also introduced the next generation of industry professionals to our Community. They will begin their careers utilising the resources we offer and even attend the global events we hold, further enriching their professional development throughout each stage of their career.
Thank you to the PHUSE India team for the outstanding work they are carrying out. Keep an eye on the Academia Meet website area for regular updates on the visits they are conducting.
