Virtual recruitment, interviewing and online inductions were some of the new competencies and skillsets that our Education team adapted to for our enrolment of students for September 2020. Many programmes were over subscribed to and waiting lists were created to keep those potential learners engaged for our 2020 offerings.

At the start of Q4 a virtual panel met with a team from Innopharma and Griffith College to review documentation and our submission for a new MSc in Digital Transformation. Following a very engaging and collegiate discussion, this Masters has now been approved by the panel and QQI. The first intake of learners will be in February 2021 so an exciting way to start the new year and the first quarter of 2021 with a new programme offering.  

The Pharma Industry Awards 2020 took place virtually in December. We sponsored the "Partnership Alliance of the Year' award which was won by NIBRT National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training and MSD Dunboyne Biologics this year. Thanks to Luke for presenting the award and for everyone who joined the event on the day. 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES 

In Q4, three members of our education team participated in the pilot of Innopharma Education’s newly developed module ‘Learning and Teaching in Higher Education’. The pilot followed the launch of a QQI approved Teaching, Learning and Assessment strategy for the education division, and offers staff in the education team a chance to engage with current approaches and best practices in online, learner centred and inclusive teaching for the higher education sector.

Congratulations to Paula Kearney, Ann Ryan and Michael King on being the first to complete the module and thanks for contributing to our ongoing development of teaching and learning!  

Education staff who are interested in opportunities to participate in the module in 2021 should contact Sandra Mooney for more information. 

Over the last number of months a number of staff have participated in further education, webinars and in-house training – some examples include:

Congrats to Alex Furbee on completing a Diploma in Project Management with UCD Professional Academy

Alexandra Anton, Michelle McCoy, Orla Callan, Finbarr Sheehy & Sandra Mooney attended a number of webinars organised by QQI as part of National Academic Integrity Week in October

Congrats to Danielle O’Rourke and Jelena Rusinova who graduated from Innopharma’s Higher Diploma in (Bio) Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Manufacturing

Now that our education division has had its QA procedures approved by QQI, the education division are directing their energies toward developing a suite of higher education programmes for launch in Q3, 2021. The programmes in development reflect Innopharma Education’s mission of contributing value to society through re-skilling, up-skilling and life-skilling learners in response to skills shortages across industry. They will offer opportunities to people seeking ways to re-enter the workforce and be sustainably employed in Industry 4.0 environments. They will also offer progression opportunities for graduates.  

This month, the curriculum development team have been working closely to consult with our industry partners on the programme learning outcomes, module content and assessment strategy. The consultation process ensures the skills and competences developed within the programmes will closely align with industry needs. The team have already had positive feedback from external stakeholders and the next step in this process involves review by external subject matter experts in the higher education sector in January. 

IMPLEMENTING A  UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING APPROACH  

Innopharma Education’s Core Values include an emphasis on diversity and inclusion.  

Within our new Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy we are committed to upholding that value by integrating the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) into the curriculum. UDL encourages us to reflect on the way we present information, organise learning activities and design assessment.  

In Q4, as part of her participation in the pilot of our new Learning and Teaching Higher Education module, Innopharma Education lecturer, Paula Kearney spent time considering how UDL could improve her students’ experiences. Paula had the following to say:  

"Universal Design for Learning is a way of thinking about teaching and learning that helps give all students an equal opportunity to succeed. This approach offers flexibility in the ways students access material, engage with it and show what they know. At Innopharma we want all of our students to learn effectively, having UDL at the forefront of our minds we can ensure we are reaching out to all types of learners. UDL encourages the lecturer to plan the lessons to ensure there is flexibility in materials which can be utilized by all students. It leads to a very rewarding experience for both students and lecturers".

We said goodbye to Karen Toomey and Louise Cosgrove from our Limerick team and Welcomed ex student Nora Nelligan and welcomed back to our fold Michelle Ryan for our Level 8 programme.  We had our socially distanced team meeting where we said our farewells to Karen and Louise.  

We also partnered with Mid West Regional Skills and IDA to launch a new Level 6 programme which we are commencing in Jan 2021 in response to demand in the region.  See photo as it appeared in the local papers – Clare Champion, Limerick Post and Nenagh Guardian to which we had a great response. 

This quarter saw another Technology member reach a new academic feat. In November, Rob graduated from his Master of Engineering  Electronics / Electronic System Design from TU Dublin. Although he didn’t get to attend the ceremony in person, I’m sure he found a way to celebrate it wholeheartedly! We wish him a massive congratulations on his achievement.  

It has been a busy 2020 for the software team with some significant milestones being achieved in Q4.  The team showcased the new “advanced scripting engine” for the SmartX Cloud platform which is being rolled out to automate fluid bed, twin screw and crystallization processes.  The SmartX HMI/Dashboard is also receiving a facelift with new ways to create data visualisations and charts for real-time monitoring.  These updates provide users with the ability to easily automate processes, gives deeper insights into how well a process is performing, both in terms of quality and efficiency, and really strengthens our portfolio of Industry 4.0 technology solutions. 

Speaking of Industry 4.0, the Technology team has also been busy exploring the use of AI/Machine Learning in our software.  A prime candidate for this technology is our EyePASS particle sizer technology where materials which we want to measure can come in many different shapes, sizes and colours e.g. from cellets to fertilizers.  Where traditional image analysis techniques often struggle to deal with a broad range of materials, AI has shown to be more accurate and adaptable.  This opens up some exciting new possibilities and sets us up nicely for more exciting updates in 2021! 

(AI/Machine Learning – measure particle size – left is actual image, right is a measured image created by AI) 

In a new venture for Innopharma, and in his new capacity as Principal Data Scientist and Digital Transformation Lead, Gareth has been working on the development of novel product offerings around Industry 4.0. These products will help companies evaluate where they are on the journey, identify the gaps in skills and resources, and provide them with a road map to the next generation of pharma manufacturing. At the same time, Gareth has started working with Finbarr Sheehy, generating content for Level 6 certificates relating to Process Digitisation in preparation for validation in April, the first such awards to be delivered solely by Innopharma Education as a QQI-accredited institute. 

TECHNICAL SERVICES UPDATES    

James Kearney

I graduated from the Postgraduate in Pharmaceutical Business & Technology in 2019 with Innopharma Education. I have been a Faculty Administrator in the Faculty of Business in Griffith College and spent many years in Customer Service and Technical Support.  I love emerging technologies, adventure, great food, music, and life. I enjoy being active and have traversed many mountains across the Country.

I'm an Education Coordinator in the Limerick region. I completed the Level 6 Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Operations certificate 2 years ago and from there went on to work in the Medical Device industry. I am really enjoying being on the other end of it now and supporting students in their studies to advance in their careers. I love travelling and usually spend Christmas in Asia somewhere on a beach, which couldn't happen this year so it will be great to be at home with family. I love hiking and anything outdoors. I'm very excited to be part of the team. Innopharma has given me so many wonderful opportunities and I'm very grateful.

I joined Innopharma in October 2020 and have been working with the Education Division presenting lectures and building scientific content for E-modules. The plan is to work with the Technology team down the line so I'll be between the two teams. I hold a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the School of Pharmacy, Trinity College Dublin. I have been working in the pharmaceutical industry for 7+ years as part of the Analytical Team.

Brigid Harney

I have run my own photography business for 25 years before retraining in accounts after the 2008 recession. I went to work in KPMG for a couple of years. I am delighted to have joined the accounts team in Innopharma. I am interested in all aspects of running a successful business, the basis of which starts with good accounting! My interests are jogging, hiking in the Wicklow mountains and recently sea swimming brrrrrrrr…..

I have worked in the Medical Device and Automobile industry both in Ireland and the UK for the last 30 years. Previously I worked for TE Creganna Medical and Medtronic as a Senior HR Business Partner and both Cregg Recruitment and Kelly Services Ireland as their Service Delivery / Country Manager. I have a Master in HR Leadership and he lives in Galway and I am married to Jacqui with 2 grown up children. My main interests are all types of sport, music (big Elvis fan), travelling and reading. I took up golf this year, so my challenge is to reduce my handicap over the next 12 months. I am looking forward to working with everyone in Innopharma, first impression is very positive and welcoming.

VIRTUAL FUN!

The Innopharma Film/Book club has been very active over the last quarter with regular meetups. Great discussions have taken place on the various books and films/documentaries. It is great to share recommendations and opinions! We look forward to continue this in the new year. 

We hope you are all looking forward to the Christmas party tonight! Don't forget to add some Christmas spirit with a festive outfit, hat or background. While it's not the party we hoped for, lets make the best of a bad situation and finish off the year with some virtual bingo, Christmas music and a few surprises along the way.