Ivy Tech Community College home to new Biopharma Science and Technology Lab thanks to support from Eli Lilly and Company
The funding for the lab comes through the Lilly Scholars program at Ivy Tech Community College, which Eli Lilly and Company is funding through 2028.
Ivy Tech Community College has opened its new Biopharma Science and Technology Lab on its Indianapolis campus, thanks to continued support from Eli Lilly and Company and the Lilly Scholars program. The lab will provide equipment and technology for students to learn about pharmaceutical manufacturing in a hands-on setting.
According to an article on Ivy Tech Community College’s website, Edgardo Hernandez, who is the executive vice president and president of Lilly Manufacturing, shared what he sees as the state’s future thanks to this partnership. He is quoted as saying, “Indiana’s economy depends on advanced manufacturing, and Lilly is investing at record levels in our home state’s facilities. Lilly’s contribution to Ivy Tech allows us to expand and enhance education and training opportunities at Indiana’s largest postsecondary institution while nurturing a strong pipeline of local talent that will fill the competitive and in-demand jobs being created by Lilly. Together, we’re shaping the future of the biopharmaceutical industry and Indiana’s economy.”
The Biopharma Science and Technology Lab is designed to simulate work environments in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Students will have access to high-tech equipment and real-world technology to learn the hands-on skills of working in biopharmaceutical production and manufacturing.
The Lilly Scholars program at Ivy Tech Community College covers tuition for 1,000 students every year who are pursuing certification or degrees in programs like biopharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, digital integration, and smart manufacturing. The funding for the new lab comes from the investment Eli Lilly and Company is making in Ivy Tech Community College for the Lilly Scholars program, a total of $15 million to be given to the school through 2028. Students who are Lilly Scholars will also have the opportunity to participate in internships, networking events, and work-study with Lilly, and will be invited to work with Lilly full time after completing their education.
Dr. Stacy Atkinson, who serves as the chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, said of the Lilly Scholars program and the new lab the collaboration has provided, “Lilly Scholars at Ivy Tech opens the door of opportunity to students who want to change their lives by making medicines and products that people around the world need. Ivy Tech Indianapolis is proud to be home to a world-class laboratory facility that prepares our students for meaningful employment in the industries of the future and helps them achieve upward economic mobility.”
Coming to the campus of 16 Tech this summer, the Ivy Tech Manufacturing Innovation Training Center will also represent a partnership between Ivy Tech Community College and Eli Lilly and Company.
Dr. Sue Ellspermann, the president of Ivy Tech Community College, was quoted as saying, “Ivy Tech is Indiana’s workforce engine, and we are well positioned to partner with Lilly to grow a diverse talent pool that’s ready to make medicines that solve some of the world’s most significant health challenges.” She continued, “The cutting-edge lab inaugurated today exemplifies our dedication to providing students with the resources and opportunities they need to excel in high-demand fields that contribute to the growth and prosperity of our state."
For more information about Ivy Tech Community College, visit the school’s website.