Glamorgan Pharmaceutical Science students meet leading pharmaceutical director
February 17, 2012
BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science students at the University of Glamorgan have met with Paul Thomas, Director of Thomas Pharma Limited, as part of an employability module.
The first year students were gathered together to hear Paul speak of his experiences working in the industry and to learn the secret to his success.
Before setting up his own company Paul was Chief Scientific Officer at Penn Pharmaceutical Services Ltd and has held a number of senior posts in the industry.
He studied a BSc in Chemistry at the University of Glamorgan, graduating in 1994.
As a Glamorgan graduate, Paul’s aim was to inspire and motivate the students whilst imparting sound industry knowledge. He said: “The pharmaceutical industry has been very good to me. I have thoroughly enjoyed the various roles and opportunities it has given me and it was my studies at the University of Glamorgan that helped pave the way for my success.
“Back in my day though, the Chemistry degree was housed in the old Miner’s House, and the labs were cold and draughty. The new facilities that the current students enjoy are remarkable. I hope my presentation today went some way to inspiring these students to enter what can be a very rewarding industry.”
As part of his visit, Paul presented a prize to students for the best presentation concerning research into pharmaceutical companies. The prize went to Sunil Bedi for his presentation on the company Johnson & Johnson.
Suzanna Kean, Senior Lecturer at the University, said: “A degree such as BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science, tailored towards our students gaining jobs in the pharmaceutical sector, can only succeed with the help of people working in the industry.
“When I first met Paul he sang the praises of Glamorgan graduates, having employed a number while working at Penn Pharma. He has a real passion for his work, and the industry as a whole, and the students appreciated being able to hear about what it is really like working in the pharmaceutical industry.”
