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Dear Ulla Wewer
Dear friends of life science,
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the collaboration between University of Copenhagen and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Standing here in the brand new, super modern Mærsk-tower, I cannot help thinking: What an astonishing development Danish life science has been through these last couple of hundred years.
Back then medicine was made in a dark room with a couple of flasks and a worn out mortar. Herbs, a little opium, meat and beer: That was the common cure for a wider selection of diseases in the 18th century.
Actually, patients at the time were offered rather large amounts of beer. The doctors found it to be more healthy than the water running in Copenhagen’s aqueducts. 2 liters a day was the common prescription!
Being a patient back then, must, in some respects, have been quite a treat.
Today we can cure a whole range of diseases.
And make it bearable to live with a whole range of others.
Thanks to a strong life science sector Denmark is able to help patients as far away as China and Chile.
Government keen on life science
The life science industry plays an important role in Danish economy.
Danish life science contributes with 38,400 jobs.
The sector accounts for 17 percent of Danish exports.
Later this year we will launch a national growth plan for life science. The Government’s ambition is to help life science companies grow and develop even more.
Today, the challenges we face in public health are complex and difficult. The demography is changing. People do not die as young as they used to! Of course some would say that is a good thing. But it also means we are getting older and more and more people are suffering from various lifestyle diseases.
We need young talents who can find new treatments. Invent new technologies. Show initiative. Take risks. That is why entrepreneurship - as I see it - will become even more important in the forthcoming years.
A recent analysis from my ministry shows that university graduates are more likely to start a company than others. It also shows that their companies grow faster.
We are on the right track. But I believe we can get even better at integrating entrepreneurship in our university degrees.
When students get to solve real life problems they realise they can use their discipline to create value. And that is motivating stuff. Not only when it comes to getting a taste for entrepreneurship, but also when it comes to improving the overall learning experience.
Closer to real world
Some fear that letting the industry sector into the lecture halls could have a bad influence on the academic independence.
I utterly disagree. I think we should give industry partners more credit than that. They provide a valuable source of knowledge. And contribute with important skills.
I am delighted that an internationally recognised biotech company like Bristol-Myers Squibb has set their eyes on Danish start-ups and entrepreneurs.
And I have great expectations for the students fostered here as a result of the new master course.
I hope you will take advantage of the lessons in entrepreneurship in order to find your own ways in life. Your own solid platform for a prosperous working life.
Because that is the key element here: To make you stand stronger and be well prepared for the world waiting for you outside these very walls.
Promising partnership
Denmark needs front runners to try out new formats for university-industry collaborations.
Your partnership deserves credit for trying just that.
So let your collaboration be an inspiration to others. Let it be a platform for even closer cooperation between university and industry.
So we can foster more young entrepreneurs.
Maintain and strengthen Denmark’s position in life science.
And have much more than excellent beer to offer the patients of tomorrow.
Thank you for your attention.