OptiGene donates £3,500 to support undergraduates who are struggling with financial hardship
The University of Central Lancashire has teamed up with a molecular diagnostics company to offer a financial boost to vet students.
OptiGene has donated £3,500 to support Veterinary Medicine & Surgery (BVMS) students.
The one-off donation, which will be capped at £250 per undergraduate, is aimed at helping those first and second-year students who are struggling with financial hardship or who have encountered unexpected costs.
Dr Pete Holland, Associate Dean (Partnerships & Enterprise) in the School of Veterinary Medicine, said: “Our School’s approach to selecting students for our BVMS course is different. We want to widen participation by addressing some of the demographic or circumstantial barriers that have previously denied people the chance of training to become a vet.
"This kind donation from OptiGene will be a big help, especially in the run up to Christmas, for some of those who are training to be the next generation of vets"
— Dr Pete Holland, Associate Dean (Partnerships & Enterprise) in the School of Veterinary Medicine
“But we do understand these students face financial difficulties, and therefore we are always looking for any opportunities to assist them. This kind donation from OptiGene will be a big help, especially in the run up to Christmas, for some of those who are training to be the next generation of vets.”
OptiGene is dedicated to the rapid detection of bacteria and viruses and the company works across a number sectors, including animal health & wellbeing, food safety & security, and biosecurity & environment.
Ross Haffenden, Chief Commercial Officer at OptiGene, said: “Our scientists and engineers, many of whom joined as graduates, are vital to developing our leading DNA and RNA amplification products.
"Recognising the financial challenges some students face, OptiGene is committed to supporting those in hardship to help them successfully complete their studies"
— Ross Haffenden, Chief Commercial Officer at OptiGene
“Recognising the financial challenges some students face, OptiGene is committed to supporting those in hardship to help them successfully complete their studies.”
The two organisations are also working collaboratively to develop new veterinary medicine diagnostic tests.
A small group of the University’s academics are providing advice and expertise to OptiGene’s technologically advanced team to help improve what is already created and hopefully take new products to market.