Fifty-nine undergraduates with diverse cultural and educational backgrounds will meet at the University of Cambridge for the first Amgen Scholars European Symposium with the common goal of discussing their potential as the future generation of leading scientists.
The students represent 35 different colleges and universities from across 15 countries: Bosnia, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the UK.
Jean Lim, president of the Amgen Foundation said: "This is a one-of-a-kind programme in Europe that brings together some of the brightest students from diverse countries to explore areas of research and to experience first-hand what it takes to contribute to the advancement of knowledge."
The Amgen Scholars Programme is a $27.5m initiative that launched in the US in 2006. The Amgen Foundation expanded the programme to Europe with a $2.5m, two-year commitment. The initiative is designed to provide students with the opportunity for eight to 10 weeks of hands-on research at three world-class universities: University of Cambridge, UK; Karolinska Institute, Sweden; and Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Germany.
Jeremy Haigh, vice president, international chief operating officer, Research and Development at Amgen said: "This is a time of remarkable scientific possibilities. Now more than ever, we need to ensure the future of innovative discoveries in science and biotechnology. As a leader in biotechnology, Amgen has an important responsibility to prepare and inspire the next generation of scientists. The Amgen Foundation is leading the way for the Amgen Scholars to learn about the many different scientific career paths available to them."
During the three-day symposium, hosted by the Amgen Foundation in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, students will meet their peers, share their summer research projects and hear first-hand from leading industry and academic scientists. The students will learn how biotechnology has brought about the discovery and development of important human therapeutics, as well as discuss the many career options available in academia and industry for scientists.
Tony Minson, professor of Virology in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge and director of the Amgen Scholars European Coordinating Centre said: "As we celebrate Cambridge's 800th anniversary, we remember that this university was the birthplace of revolutionary scientific innovation with Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin amongst our distinguished graduates. In this historic year, it seems appropriate for Cambridge to host this first groundbreaking symposium, which will provide students with the unique opportunity to engage with fellow students from around Europe as well as highly regarded scientists."
Student and participant Matilda Males from the University of Zagreb in Croatia said: "I chose the Amgen Scholars Europe Programme to gain insight into current research topics from inspirational mentors, exchange experiences with other students and learn some new research methods and techniques beyond the theoretical background at my home university. But I have gained so much more. The programme has encouraged me to keep pursuing a career in science as I have learned first-hand that science not only requires a lot of hard work, but that the excitement and innovation of trying to discover something new can pay off."
Each Amgen Scholar host university is responsible for selecting participants from colleges and universities within their own country as well as from across Europe. While each programme site has its own application process, all require an official transcript of results to date, a letter of recommendation and a personal statement or essay. Financial support for students is a critical component of the programme, which seeks to enable eligible students, regardless of their financial status, to participate.
