About the Symposium
What is BioConnect?
Biotechnology has been a pacesetter on the global stage for providing solutions to some of the planet's most vexing problems whether in medicine, renewable energy production, diagnostics, waste management or environment conservation. It is in this context that biotechnology is regarded as a mechanism to heal, feed and fuel the world. One of the most unique attributes of this industry is its ever evolving and significantly dynamic nature that has attracted considerable attention in recent times.
In addition to the myriad technological advancements, biotechnology has enormous potential to contribute to economic development and diversification. Canada's burgeoning $80 billion bio-based economy constitutes more than 6.4 percent of our GDP, and fosters growth in sectors ranging from agriculture to education and health. With such interconnectivity, we are challenged now more than ever to understand the complexity of the industry.
We are pleased to bring to you the second annual BioConnect symposium themed
“Bridging the Gap Between the Industry and Academia,” which is designed specifically to
maximize the networking opportunities of participants. The symposium is run entirely by
the graduate students of biotechnology from the McGill Applied Master’s of Science
program.
The success of the inaugural BioConnect symposium that strived to “connect the dots” of
biotechnology will be a building stone for this year’s endeavor, which will include
speeches, followed by an informal get-together with wine and cheese, company
presentations, and posters displaying academic and industry research by the MSc
Biotechnology students in 2011. Thus, we are hoping that BioConnect 2011 will provide a
unique interaction opportunity for professionals and graduate students alike, encompassing
all areas of biotechnology, regulatory, and finance sectors from private companies,
government and university laboratories. This event will provide a platform where the young biotechnologist of today can learn from the experiences of yesterday and be equipped with the necessary skills to create the sustainable solutions of tomorrow.
Vision
In this annual event run entirely by graduate students, we strive to construct a networking platform with professionals from biotechnology and various supporting fields (regulatory, financial, information technology sectors) to bolster dissemination of knowledge, to promote awareness of local and international challenges in biotechnology, and to facilitate discussion on addressing them in a sustainable manner.Our Mission
BioConnect challenges biotechnology graduate students to think outside “the lab” and consider the ramifications of their research in a broader societal context. Through a sustainable focus on the vibrant local biotechnology communities, and with an international perspective, we invite academic and industry leaders in research and business, as well as students, to contribute their expertise and enthusiasm to a discussion on the present state of affairs in biotechnology. All the while, our long-term goal is to forge lasting partnerships with the biotechnology community throughout Canada, and beyond.
