Q4 STORY BY NUMBERS

Story by numbers

Updates from Education

EDUCATION OVERVIEW

It has been a very busy time in the Education division preparing for the Spring 23' intake. Our weekly webinar series is continuing to be very popular. We have had Open Days in Limerick, Cork and Dublin which were well attended. Ann Ryan has been busy setting up Canteen Sessions in Alexion, Abbie, Takeda, Cambus Medical and Zoetis which is a great opportunity to speak to those working in the sector and helping them figure out their education journey. And lot's more! Continue reading for a breakdown across the regions of all that has happened.


Induction in Sandyford

Dublin Induction

SPRING 2023 INTAKE 

We have 14 Springboard + & HCI funded programmes starting over 4 different locations in the new year. The team has been busy recruiting, processing applications and running events over the past few weeks and we are nearly there, halfway to our target!  We look forward to welcoming the new cohorts to the Innopharma Education community in the new year.

 PROGRAMME VALIDATION 

The MSc in Medical Device Technology and Business (in collaboration with Griffith College) went through a QQI panel recently and the panel recommended the programme for validation (subject to conditions). It was a very successful day overall and much work was put into preparing for this day

 We were also successful in a panel review of our first micro-credential programmes through QQI which were also recommended for validation (subject to conditions) . These five programmes are subsets of our current Innopharma Higher Certificate in Process Digitisation. It is intended to commence the delivery of these programmes in March through our collaboration with the Louth & Meath ETB.

The 5 micro credential programmes are as follows:

  • L6 Certificate in Supply Chain
  • L6 Certificate in IT & Industrial Automation
  • L6 Certificate in Data Visualisation and Analysis
  • L6 Certificate in Transversal Skills for a Digital Workplace
  • L6 Certificate in Operational Excellence
  • These are short programmes that will be certified by QQI to support industry needs.

QQI CERTIFICATE

QQI CERTIFICATE

QQI Conference

QQI Conference
 

QQI 10TH ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE

Innopharma Education were successful in being selected to give a lightning talk presentation at a recent QQI conference held in Croke Park. The submission was made under the heading of Enterprise and Education in partnership: Connecting programmes and employability. Our entry was successful for both the poster submission and the opportunity to give lightening talk live on the day of the conference.

PRESENTATIONS

We were invited to speak at the Future of Medicines Forum in November was co-hosted with IPHA and NIBRT. This event was launched by Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation (I hope to get a photo for this).

 GRADUATIONS

Throughout the month of November, we held four graduations in Griffith College in Dublin, Cork and Limerick and in TUD. Across all the gradations there were 23 students from every subject discipline interviewed for testimonial videos, during which many graduates spoke very highly of both staff and their experience with Innopharma Education. It was great to get back out to graduations again and meet with these people to hear about how our programmes have been a benefit to them, their careers and life in general.

GRADUATIONS

Jennifer & Mary Jane

Jennifer & Mary Jane
EVENTS & OPEN DAYS

Over the last few months, we attended some Department of social protection events nationwide to promote all our courses and made good connections with staff in the Dublin region for future promotion opportunities.

At the end of November and beginning of December, we help open day sessions in Limerick, Cork and Dublin. A good attendance of potential students at each particularly in Cork and we hope to see a number of attendees from each across the regions commence our courses in 2023.

REGIONAL UPDATES
 

It has been a very busy quarter for the Midwest Region.  Our 7 programmes that commenced in Limerick in September are all now preparing for their upcoming exams in January. 

We are actively recruiting for our next intake of Programmes on Jan 23 and had a very successful Open Day on November 29th and Ann & Kevin joined us for the event .

We have attended a number of events, Expos and site visits attended.  It has been great to network and engages with Intreo DSP & employers within Med Tech, Biopharma and service sectors. This has also been a great opportunity for continuing to raise our profile and generating brand awareness.

Programmes 2023

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Digitalisation

LIMERICK GRADUATION

There were 26 graduates from the PG Dip in Science & Medical Device Technology & Business and we had 9 graduates attend the ceremony. Orla McKiernan, Finbarr Sheehy, Sandra Mooney, Mary Jo  & I attended the event. 

Pharma Industry Awards

Pharma Industry Awards
 

PHARMA INDUSTRY AWARDS 2022

Following on from previous years, Innopharma sponsored the Pharma Industry Awards 2023. A group from across the divisions attended on November 10th in the new Radisson Blu convention centre. It was an enjoyable and busy night networking. Kevin presented our sponsored award "The Partnership Alliance" of the Year Award to Roche Diagnostics and Centric Health.

This year we had also been shortlisted for two awards:  Our Validation Engineer Work Simulation Training Programme has been shortlisted for the Graduate Training Programme of the year and is being sponsored by Bio PharmaChem – Skillnet. Secondly, the Digital Maturity and Sustainability Leadership Programme has been shortlisted for the PharmaEducation and Training Award, sponsored by Sirus. Unfortunately, we didn't come home with an award ourselves but we had a great night and are proud to be invited as sponsors each year and also be shortlisted for two awards. It is a great event to spread the Innopharma name and maybe next year will be our year!

 MARKETING UPDATE

 

Overall our marketing activities have been performing very well. Google Analytics reported that all channel traffic was up for 17% YoY while leads were up 27%, excluding social leads with total to 350 leads, this brings it to a 133% increase. Paid social recorded 375 new social enquiries in November while search activities drove 131 leads as well as 9 phone calls. Email recorded 1,067 opens and 99 sessions as part of the 2 weekly newsletter in November.

Over the last few months, our blog articles on the Innopharma Education site have been performing very well, not only have they doubled the users visiting our website but we can see that the email campaigns that include article links are driving engaged traffic back to the site. These users are spending an average session duration of 3 minutes on the site – one of the highest across the channel. In order to continue this performance, we decided to change our strategy so that we can increase the volume of content we publish each month. This strategy involves Wolfgang creating 2 blogs per month and our Education team creating the other two assisted by a brief. As we are into the second month of our new content strategy, it is hard to see the results however one of our November blogs has already reached 10 unique page views with no additional promotions. A special thank you to all the team who have helped out with the content briefs so far. We look forward to creating new blogs in the new year so watch out you could be called a writer soon enough!

Our Students

Our Students

Technology Updates

HORIZON 2022 SUCCESS
There has been a lot of success in Horizon 2022 with Innopharma Technology beating out a competitive field of 50 other submissions. (EI has internally showcased Innopharma as an example of SME increasing their business through EU successful funding.).

Innopharma has been awarded funding from a competitive Horizon Europe call within the topic CL4-2022-Twin Transition 01-03 ‘Excellence in distributed control and modular manufacturing’. The project presented, titled ‘Agile and modular cyber-physical technologies supported by data-driven digital tools to reinforce manufacturing resilience’, aims to boost manufacturing plants’ transformation, especially SMEs, towards industry 5.0 (I5.0), reinforcing their resilience under unexpected changes in social needs.


DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION DAY

SMARTX

SMARTX

SMARTLABS DEVELOPMENT 

There is huge excitement with the development of SmartLabs – a teaching platform which will allow students to engage hands-on with different layers of industrial automation, including a digital twin of a manufacturing process, in a live, remote laboratory. This will help students understand the principles of digitalisation and digital transformation, apply what they have learned in lectures in a real-world scenario, and interact with real industrial processing equipment and sensors. This has great potential as a collaboration between Technology and Education. (For further info contact Gareth Clarke).
 

 
 

 

As part of SmartLabs we will be utilizing our very own SmartX technology.  We recently added some new and powerful features to SmartX to enable it to execute virtual process simulations in the Cloud.  This means we can enable students to learn how to monitor and control processes, e.g. Crystallisation processes, in a virtual environment which is accessible from anywhere in the world.

 

configure a temperature probE

TEMPERATURE PROBE

TEMPERATURE DATA

image009

Students will also learn about Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) including how to connect a device to the Cloud using industrial communications protocols such as MQTT.  Photos above demonstrate how we use SmartX to configure a temperature probe to connect to the Cloud from which students will be able to read the temperature data.

 

ACHEMA '22

In the last 3 months we have been to Achema ’22, Powtech ’22 and Making Pharmaceuticals. Our media footprint is on all these!

We have won a bid to have the Eyecon2 to be incorporated into the U.S FDA labs. This is significant since it is the ultimate governing body of laboratory regulation and standards.

Saleswise, we have sold through Chanse to one of their customers and are expecting further sales of two Eyecon2s in India and their subsidiary in the U.S

 

Achema 22

Achema '22
Pharma Education & Training Award
PHARMA AWARDS 2022

We are delighted to announce that our Digital Maturity and Sustainability Leadership Programme - An Applied Industry 5.0 Training and Awareness programme for manufacturing site extended leadership teams, has been shortlisted for this year's Pharma Education & Training Award. Utilizing a comprehensive Industry 5.0 Diagnostic Assessment Tool, this leadership programme provides the opportunity for management teams to participate in uniquely practical, hands-on training specifically designed to support your organisational strategy for Digital Transformation and Sustainability.

Encompassing all areas of site operations and sustainability, participants in this training will benchmark their facility’s current state, and identify best practice exemplars and areas of opportunity. This enables the development of a data-rich strategic roadmap, that considers the unique technological and organisational direction.


LOT OF ATTRACTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Our social media has been very busy with numerous posts and videos. Check out a few highlights below:

An opinion piece by Sean from the Responsible Business Conduct, Innovation and AI Symposium '22.

Rizwan Chaudhrey Interviews Darren McHugh - Senior Product Manager at Achema Frankfurt '22

The Power of Machine Learning Webinar with Horiba.

We are also building out our distributor network who have been expanding our media reach with each mention of our technology.

Darren

Chris O’Callaghan fixed the 3rd floor heating. (The succinctness of that sentence reflects its importance and impact!)

AI SYMPOSIUM

AI EVENT

Exciting News from Technical Services

Q3 WAS BUSY!


Quarter 3 has been a busy time for Technical Services. Cohort 19 have successfully completed the Validation Programme with team members being placed & are interviewing at present.

Cohort 20 has commenced on October 3rd. We welcomed a new group of Validation Engineering Interns who are about to embark on our 14 week training programme. They will be purpose trained in Cleaning, Equipment and Process Validation whereby they will develop competencies in Technical Report Writing, drafting and writing SOPs, change controls, validation protocols, performing swabbing, developing sampling plans... The list is endless!

Luke at GradIreland

Luke at Grad Ireland

Amgen Night out

Amgen Night out
EVENTS

Luke represented Technical Services at the latest Grad Ireland Fair, held in the RDS, which was a great success.

Luke & Caroline met with the crew from Amgen for a catch up over dinner in Dublin, it was a great night.

GREAT NEWS! WE'VE BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE "GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR" AWARD

We are delighted that our Training programme has made the shortlist for the Pharma Industry awards (https://www.pharmaawards.ie/) under the category of “Graduate Training Programme of the Year”.  The Pharma Industry awards is a long-standing award programme for recognising and celebrating the most original and innovative individuals and companies that demonstrate excellence in Ireland’s pharma industry.  We will have stiff competition in our category from BMS, Eli Lilly & Icon, but fingers crossed we will be announced as the winners of our category in early November.

 
 
Graduate Training Programme of the Year-01

NEW STARTERS

new starters

NEW STARTERS 

We welcomed new starters Alice Gillen, Harsha Acharya, Kezia Bega, Nilson Alves & Sonia Conway.

Alice Gillen with a role in Amgen.

Harsha Acharya & Kezia Bega with roles in Regeneron. 

Nilson Alves who has taken up a QC analyst role in BMS.

Sonia Conway has joined the Technical Services core team, taking up the role of General Administrator, reporting to Caroline.

Sonia Conway

Sonia Conway

Nilson Alves

Nilson Alves - Newsletter Photo

Alice Gillen

Alice Gillen

Kezia Bega

Kezia Bega

Harsha Acharya

Harsha Acharya

Sonia Conway – General Administrator Technical Services

Hello all, firstly I would like to thank everyone I have met so far for being so welcoming! I joined the Tech Services team at the end of June as General Administrator & I am really enjoying it. I have completed the Level 6 in Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Operations with Innopharma & I am currently completing the Level 6 Food Science & Technology to gain a higher certificate in Science & Process Technologies. I am from & currently live in Limerick. I also look after the office administration for a family Construction company.  My husband & I have two beautiful daughters, aged 11 & 8, which keep me young! I previously worked in the Aviation Industry for over 14 years, which explains my love of travel. I enjoy greyhound racing – we have a couple of greyhounds, which is always fun with the family. I love GAA – especially being from Limerick & being married to a Clare man! I like to read & relax in any spare time I find.

From Harsha Acharya – Validation Cohort 19 – Regeneron 

I am working as a QA Validation Consultant at Regeneron from Innopharma. I have Masters in Electronics and Communication Engineering from TUD. I got selected for Validation Training at Innopharma, enjoyed the best training and upskilled in Validation. I love exploring new places and cuisines. I can consider myself as an outdoor and health-conscious person. Always thinking towards sustainability, cruelty-free and Greener Planet.

From Nilson Alves – QC Cohort 5 – BMS 

My name is Nilson, I am originally from Brazil, I am a pharmacist, and my background is in Microbiology and Quality Control laboratories. My current role is in BMS as QC Analyst, I am really happy being part of Innopharma team. I like to practice some sports like, football and hiking. I like to travel, get to know new cultures, also I am interested in trading shares in the stock market and cryptocurrency.

From Alice Gillen – Validation Cohort 18 – Amgen 

Hi everyone. I have just started my contract as a Validation Engineer at Amgen. I previously worked in diagnostics as a PCR Technician, and I am excited to transition into the Biopharma Industry. I attended Nibrt back in 2015 to study Bioprocessing & this ignited my love of science. I went on to get a degree in Bioanalytical Science in TU Dublin as a mature student. My hobbies include attempting to train my border collie Ted, cooking and socialising with family and friends.

From Kesia Bega – Validation Cohort 19 – Regeneron 

I’m Kesia, A patient focused Pharmacist with a master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Biotechnology. I am highly experienced in medicine dossier assessments with 4years experience working in a national regulatory authority reviewing generic and new drug applications before issuing market authorisation. Sound understanding of cGMP, EU, US, ICH and WHO regulations, guidelines, and standards. Proven track record of achieving exceptional results in tight deadlines while paying attention to detail. Developed practical skills in GMP, Pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, Quality Management Systems, and Validation, with the Innopharma Validation programme. Currently working as a as part of the Compliance team at Regeneron as a QA Validation Consultant. My hobbies are Sport, Music, and Cooking

More news

TREASURE OUR CHESTS & INCREASE YOUR STEPS
A message from the Social Committee:

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re hoping to enlist your help to shine a light on Breast Cancer Awareness and raise much needed funds for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.

Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate and effects both women and men. 1 in 7 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and approximately 16 men. Early detection is key to a successful treatment outcome, so for the month of October we will be sharing regular updates and content to encourage all our staff both female and male to regularly check yourself. 

The role of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute is paramount, as its research can help to ascertain the causes and factors that influence breast cancer and therefore help to develop effective screening, treatments, and medication to combat it. 

So, here’s where you come in! During the winter months, we tend to be more couch potatoes than fitness fanatics so to get us all moving we are hoping to embark upon a 10K steps a day challenge culminating with a fabulous Blush Brunch on the 26th of October in Dublin, Limerick, and Cork.

We hope that as many of you will participate as possible and have one small ask of a €10 donation to enter the steps challenge with a “Booby prize” for the overall winner. 

You can donate to our just giving page through the following link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/innopharma-team2

Reminder to everyone to track to their steps here. Tracking ends on the 25th of October so let's work together to get as many steps as possible in.

Breast Cancer Ireland
INNOPHARMA BOOK CLUB 

Alex kindly revived the book club in August and several books have been read since! 

It is never too late to join (the more the merrier!), so if you're interested please email Alexandra Furbee. 

The first book was The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid which got good feedback. 

This month choice was: The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry OR The Earned Life by Marshall Goldsmith.

Reading is a great way to relax and unwind and no better motivation than a few people reading the same book alongside you. Happy reading everyone!

NEW STAFF

A very warm welcome to Alan Cooney, James McDonald on joining the team.  

ALAN COOMEY 

I joined Innopharma Education as a programme administrator. I have a PGDip in Bioinformatics from UCC and was previously an Innopharma student in 2015, completing the Level 8 Biopharmaceutical and Medical Device Operations. I am now a full-time employee with Innopharma Education, working as part of the Cork Admissions team. My hobbies and pastimes include cycling, going to the gym, reading about science and history, walking my dog, and playing video games. 



JAMES MCDONALD
My Name is James McDonald and I work as a Learning Technologist as part of the Dublin team. I have a Level 8 Bsc In Computer Science & a Level 9 Msc in Business Management both degrees I got from DCU. Education has always been at the forefront of my career and I started my career in third level education with DCU as soon as I finished my masters, working as a Teaching Assistant and Learning Technologist respectively. Lecturing and running modules as part of this work. I worked in KPMG as a Learning and Development Specialist as part of the Technology team before joining Innopharma. Leaving me in the perfect position to hit the ground running here in Innopharma!

During my spare time I like to keep fit and will often be swimming or running and im currently learning Spanish and how to play the Guitar! I love to travel and have just returned from South America recently in June and hope to be 

Omotayo Ajayi

Omotayo Ajayi

A WARM WELCOME TO OMOTAYO AJAYI

Omotayo Ajayi holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and recently upskilled with a Masters program in Pharmaceutical Business and Technology with Innopharma Education at Griffith College. He has worked as a Process Engineer in the Oil and Gas industry and also as a Quality Control Engineer in the Chemical industry. He is currently working on the SmartLabs Project with the Technology team. Omotayo loves to play the game of Chess and enjoys hiking in his free time.

 

Luke helping Ciaran cut the cake

Luke and Ciaran

BABY NEWS & WEDDING BELLS

A huge congratulations to Prosper on the birth of his twins and Aine Behan on her Baby girl. 

Congratulations to Nicole and Carol & Ciaran on their recent wedding. 

Jason & tara

Jason's Wedding