KINGSTON, R.I. -- March 20, 2001 -- The University of Rhode Island and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of American Home Products Corporation (NYSE:AHP), have signed a cooperative agreement to collaborate on internship programs and on-site educational efforts at the company’s West Greenwich facility.
As a result of the agreement, Wyeth will launch an internship program this summer that will provide eight, year-round internships in biotechnology quality control, chemical engineering, training and development, and information technology. Students will work closely with mentors and receive university credit and an hourly wage.
"This program will give our students an excellent opportunity to learn about the biotechnology industry from one of the world’s leading biotech companies," says Gregory Paquette, director of URI’s clinical laboratory science programs and adjunct professor of biochemistry, microbiology and molecular genetics. "In addition, this program will provide the interns with a greater probability of landing a position at Wyeth after graduation."
According to URI Vice Provost Blair Lord, this collaboration is part of the University’s many experiential learning initiatives. The URI College of the Environment and Life Sciences has made significant efforts to establish cooperative learning arrangements with industry.
In addition to the internship program, URI is already providing educational skills training to Wyeth employees on-site in West Greenwich, and an on-site executive training program is in development. A graduate biotechnology certificate program is also in development, which will be taught at the Wyeth facility as well. Eventually, Wyeth staff may be tapped to teach biotechnology courses at URI.
"Our employees are the key to successful biopharmaceutical manufacturing," says Christopher Perley, managing director of the Wyeth facility in West Greenwich. "We are pleased to team with URI to prepare students for a career in this fast-growing industry."
For Information: Gregory Paquette 874-2315, Todd McLeish 874-7892
