A bridge connecting the world of academia with the forefront of industry has been successfully built, filled with enthusiasm and aspiration.
Last week, Westlake Pharma welcomed 12 graduate students from the Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS-Hangzhou) as they embarked on their summer practice program.
Westlake Pharma meticulously planned the event, preparing not only a series of insightful thematic lectures but also providing opportunities for hands-on observation and practical experience. Through this deep dive into the industry, the students gained a more profound understanding of the pharmaceutical sector's cutting-edge developments and the drug R&D process, while also gaining new perspectives on their future career paths. Now, let's revisit the highlights of the program.
01 | Getting to Know the Company
On the morning of July 10, the faculty advisor and 12 students from UCAS-Hangzhou arrived at Westlake Pharma for the first time. The company's HR Manager led the students on a tour, familiarizing them with the office environment and departmental structure.
Following the tour, the formal exchange began. Representatives from Westlake Pharma 's R&D department and the students introduced themselves, sharing their academic backgrounds and areas of expertise. A representative from Westlake Pharma then provided an overview of the company's founding team, development history, and business focus, giving the students a rapid understanding of the company and the current state of the innovative drug industry.
02 | Observation and Hands-on Practice
During the program, Westlake Pharma offered students an opportunity for in-depth observation and hands-on experience. Based on their individual academic backgrounds and interests, the students were divided into three practical groups: the chemistry group, the biology group, and the AI drug design group.
Westlake Pharma's R&D personnel served as mentors, explaining basic operational procedures and designing a series of practical tasks. They guided the students through these tasks, helping to deepen their understanding of theoretical knowledge.
The conversations during these sessions were not limited to technical topics. R&D staff, as senior colleagues, also shared their personal experiences and insights on career development, addressing questions that the students cared about.
03 | Thematic Lectures
Throughout the week, Westlake Pharma arranged four thematic lectures for the students, covering key stages of the drug R&D process: AI-aided drug design, pharmacovigilance, clinical trials, and intellectual property protection.
Each session was led by the respective department head, who drew upon their extensive professional knowledge and practical experience to provide the students with a deep dive into R&D workflows and industry frontiers.
The students actively engaged in the discussions, raising numerous questions that the speakers answered one by one. Through this interactive Q&A, their understanding of the industry progressively deepened.
Reflections and Takeaways
On the afternoon of July 12, as the program drew to a close, the students and faculty from UCAS-Hangzhou once again gathered with Westlake Pharma employee representatives to share their reflections.
The students expressed their gratitude for the warm hospitality and shared what they had learned from the experience. Westlake Pharma representatives also shared their delight in hosting the program and praised the students for their intellectual curiosity. The event not only provided a valuable learning opportunity for the students but also brought fresh perspectives and vitality to the company.
What They Said
Hu, Ph.D. Student, UCAS-Hangzhou:
"Through this program, I realized that R&D personnel in a company need to constantly think and solve problems; the job has a very high demand for strong research capabilities. This experience has given me a new perspective on the pharmaceutical industry, and I'm very grateful for it."
Wang, Master's Student, UCAS-Hangzhou:
"The work atmosphere at Westlake Pharma is excellent—very open and friendly. They also thoughtfully provided snacks in the break room, which was a nice touch. This program has made me more excited about my future career."
Mr. He, Program Coordinator, UCAS-Hangzhou:
"After we announced this program, the student response was even more enthusiastic than we expected. I'm very grateful to the students for their dedication and to Westlake Pharma for their wonderful cooperation in arranging such a rich and fulfilling schedule for them. Everyone gained a lot."
Every transfer of knowledge and every shared exchange sows the seeds of future aspirations. Westlake Pharma hopes this program has helped to bridge the gap between academia and industry and provided students with a deep-seated understanding of the field. We hope that such exchanges will help cultivate more talent for the future of the pharmaceutical industry. Westlake Pharma looks forward to many more wonderful collaborations with young students in the future!