Select Year 10, 11 and 12 students had the opportunity this week to visit the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Biological Innovation Facility (BIF), gaining a glimpse into some of the most exciting and fast-growing areas of Science.
The BIF is a state-of-the-art research and training hub focused on the manufacture of mRNA vaccines and monoclonal antibodies — technologies that sit at the cutting edge of modern medicine. The facility provides both industry and researchers with a space to explore how these tools can be developed and scaled, while also training the next generation of scientists and innovators.
During their visit, IGS students heard from three scientists who each shared their journeys through Science, detailing how degrees across different countries and disciplines led them to careers at UTS. Their stories highlighted the diverse opportunities available in Science and demonstrated how passion and persistence can open unexpected doors.
Students also had the chance to immerse themselves in lab life through VR, a guided tour of the facility, and a hands-on gowning competition, where they raced to suit up in sterile laboratory gear without “contaminating” themselves with UV powder — symbolic of microbes.
For our older students, the visit was not just an excursion but an insight into a possible future. The BIF is a prime example of the kinds of workplaces our graduates may enter if they choose pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). With global demand for researchers, data analysts, biotechnologists, engineers, and innovators growing rapidly, this experience showed students what their classroom studies could translate into in the real world.
We look forward to continuing this connection with UTS and opening more doors for our students as they consider their next steps beyond IGS.
