QIAGEN announced its collaboration with Inspiring Girls  Singapore, a local charity organisation, welcoming 29 students from Changkat Changi Secondary School  to its Singapore office for an immersive experience in molecular testing solutions on July 17th. This  initiative supports QIAGEN's vision of making improvements in life possible and underscores its  commitment to supporting local communities and adding value to the students' educational experiences. 

This program featured interactive activities that provided a unique opportunity to delve into molecular  testing solutions and gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art laboratories. Students rotated through  different stations and engaged with industry professionals, fostering their curiosity and aspirations for  future careers in science and technology. 

Students participated in running a QIAstat-Dx system, detecting respiratory infections such as SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19), and engaged in a pipetting accuracy game using QuantiNova RT-PCR Kits. They  explored the intricacies of supply chain management, sales, and marketing in the healthcare industry. To  broaden their understanding of QIAGEN's impact, students also learned about QIAGEN's role in  combating global health challenges, including tuberculosis. 

"We are privileged to be part of the Inspiring Girls Singapore program, offering young students a glimpse  into molecular testing," said Victoria Fox, Senior Director, Global Marketing Excellence MDx & Head of  APEC Regional Marketing. "By providing hands-on experiences and connecting students with our  professionals, we hope to ignite curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators." 

Eunyze, a 15-year-old student, expressed her enthusiasm: "Hands-on STEM activities have made me  interested in pursuing a career in the STEM field. It's really fun to observe and experience the STEM  concepts myself rather than just knowing the theories from the textbook. It really boosts my confidence in  seeing myself work in the STEM field." 

“At Inspiring Girls Singapore, our mission is to ignite confidence to be curious to discover different career  interests.” says Jacqueline Chua, country chairperson of Inspiring Girls Singapore. “In our collaboration  with QIAGEN, we are pleased to draw the youth's attention to the burgeoning life science industry in  Singapore. Hands-on experiences are crucial in sparking interest among students who might otherwise  overlook how critical it is. These experiences reveal the real-world applications of their secondary school  studies in biology and chemistry, helping them realize that they are already engaged in scientific activities.  This empowers students to envision a future in sciences, fostering a new generation of skilled  professionals ready to meet the evolving demands of this dynamic sector."

QIAGEN supports worldwide activities where it does business, helping improve lives in cultural, social or  scientific settings. The local initiative with Inspiring Girls Singapore demonstrates its commitment to  fostering talent and promoting diversity in the scientific community. Through this comprehensive approach,  QIAGEN provided students with a holistic view of how QIAGEN's core competencies contribute to  advancements in molecular science and healthcare.