AbbVie launch €30,000 prize to develope students interest in STEM

GLOBAL biopharma firm AbbVie, which has a commercial headquarters in Citywest, has launched a €30,000 prize to encourage students to develop an interest in STEM subjects.

The prize, which provides the chance for a school to win the value in the form of new equipment, is available to schools in Dublin, Mayo, Cork and Sligo, starting from the new school year.

Schools that enter will be asked to demonstrate how they might use STEM to solve challenges in their communities.

AbbVie previously published the ‘STEM Paths’ report exploring barriers to engagement in science-related subjects and careers in Ireland.

The study highlighted the negative impact that low levels of student interest in STEM might have on Ireland’s high-value pharma, biopharma and medical device sectors.

The company also runs a ‘Back to School for STEM’ progamme, which supports employees in six of AbbVie’s sites around the country.

The initiative sees managers and employees visit local schools, including their alma maters, to talk about their jobs and the difference working in pharma can make to the wider society.

“The traditional role of scientist or engineer has evolved and there are many variations required in today’s workplace,” said Deirdre Clune MEP.

“Companies such as AbbVie require a large pool of talent across a range of areas to conceive, develop and deliver their products in a safe and sustainable manner.

This initiative will make students and their teachers aware of those opportunities.”

Arriving into Ireland in 1974, Chicago-based Abbvie has 2,600 employees in Ireland across five manufacturing facilities in Citywest, Cork, Sligo and Mayo and further offices in Dublin.

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