Zooming-in on Carl Zeiss Business and Life Science students gain industrial awareness By {Is Su Hewe Cho, BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences Mr Van Raman, MD, Carl n 5 April 2010, students from the MDIS School of Business and the School of Life Sciences visited Carl Zeiss $ E Asia. The industrial visit was organised by the MDIS Career Assistance Unit to equip students with the specialised knowledge and skills needed to stay abreast of developments in the life sciences, as well as to underscore the business facet of this Fourth Pillar to the Singapore economy. ‘The trip was highly motivating and refreshed our perspectives of the industry in Singapore and the region. Carl Zeiss, most widely known for its specialised lenses, automated surgical machines and scanning devices, has long been lauded as a Dr Samuel Ko briefs students on aspects of various microscopic specimens leading innovator of cutting-edge biotechnological equipment. ‘We were taken on a tour of the company - including the warehousing facility, and given a briefing on the various products Carl Zeiss distributes around Singapore and South-East Asia. ‘The tour was followed with a series of presentations by various members of the senior stafl. These talks covered the products and technologies developed by the company, the concepts and science behind them, and the organisation's overall business management strategy. ‘Mr Van Raman (Managing Director, S E Asia and India) shared with us his perspectives on the value of perseverance, uniqueness and team spirit as essential factors in the achievement of business success. He elaborated on the business strategies of the biotechnology industry and the patent registration process (roughly two patents per day are registered by Carl Zeiss), and enthusiastically addressed questions from the students. Dr Steven de Souza (Regional Division Manager, Medical Division) outlined the history of the company, detailing the technological advances achieved in their research and design portfolio. ——Dr Steven de Souza speaking to students Dr Samuel Ko (Microscopy Division) gave detailed explanations of the various stereo, compound and inverted microscopes, and specialised systems developed by Carl-Zeiss; and spoke of the huge variety and types of specimens that can be tested using them, Best of all, we were given the chance to experience, hands-on, the “feel” of some of the microscopes and optical scanning equipment! We are very gratefull to Carl Zeiss and MDIS. for arranging this value-added excursion and look Students get a glimpse of the forward to many more such opportunities! microscopes in the warehouse Comments from participants about the trip G Ms Honey H Pillai Biomedical Science Student