INSPIRxE AY25/26: The First Networking Session

The fifth run of the NUS INSPIRxE Alumni Mentorship Programme officially kickstarted on Saturday (6 September) with an opening networking session that brought together more than 90 students, staff, and alumni from the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The event set the stage for another year of meaningful mentorship, with participants engaging in lively conversations that bridged academic aspirations with real-world experiences.

The session opened with a welcome address by Prof Giorgia Pastorin, Head of the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, who highlighted the importance of mentorship in supporting the personal and professional development of students. She also expressed her appreciation to the alumni mentors for their commitment to guiding the next generation of pharmacy professionals.

Following the address, participants took part in a facilitated networking activity designed to foster purposeful dialogue between mentors and mentees. Alumni mentors positioned themselves across five thematic zones that reflected the breadth of roles in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare sector:

  1. We Care for Patients 
  2. We Safeguard Quality 
  3. We Make Medicines Accessible
  4. We Transform Healthcare
  5. We Drive Innovation 

Mentees rotated between the zones in three rounds, choosing areas that best matched their career interests. This format gave students the opportunity to explore diverse career pathways while learning directly from alumni who had walked those journeys.

To add an element of fun, participants were also given networking BINGO sheets, which encouraged students to ask questions, discover unique experiences, and build rapport in creative ways. The session concluded with mentees sharing their key takeaways, before everyone gathered over a buffet lunch for continued discussions in a more informal setting.

The programme team expresses deep appreciation to the alumni mentors for generously contributing their time and expertise, and would like to thank students for taking the initiative to invest in their personal and professional growth. Over the coming nine months, we look forward to the mentorship groups engaging in sustained conversations and guidance, nurturing meaningful relationships and equipping students with insights to thrive in their future careers.

Article by Anthea, Keith, Hao Yi, Wayne and Xiu Ling (AY25/26 NUS INSPIRxE Committee)

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