Amgen Scholars Europe Programme Convenes Undergraduates From 15 Countries for Innovative Science Research

Cambridge, England (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Symposium Offers Unique Opportunity to Meet Peers and Leading
Scientists; Discuss Hands-On Summer Research Projects

This week, 59 undergraduates with diverse cultural and
educational backgrounds will meet at the University of Cambridge for
the first Amgen Scholars European Symposium with the common goal of
discussing their potential as the future generation of leading
scientists.

The first Amgen Scholars Europe class represents 35 different
colleges and universities from across 15 countries: Bosnia, Croatia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Russia, Serbia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the UK.

"Amgen Scholars is a one-of-a-kind programme in Europe that
brings together some of the brightest students from diverse countries
to explore areas of research and to experience first-hand what it
takes to contribute to the advancement of knowledge," said Jean J.
Lim, president of the Amgen Foundation.

The Amgen Scholars Programme is a 27.5 million USD initiative
which first launched in the United States (U.S.) in 2006. The Amgen
Foundation expanded the programme to Europe with a 2.5 million USD,
two-year commitment. The initiative is designed to provide students
with the opportunity for eight to 10 weeks of hands-on research at
three world-class universities: University of Cambridge, UK;
Karolinska Institute, Sweden, and Ludwig-Maximilians-University,
Germany.

"This is a time of remarkable scientific possibilities. Now more
than ever, we need to ensure the future of innovative discoveries in
science and biotechnology," said Jeremy Haigh, vice president,
international chief operating officer, Research and Development at
Amgen. "As a leader in biotechnology, Amgen has an important
responsibility to prepare and inspire the next generation of
scientists. The Amgen Foundation is leading the way for the Amgen
Scholars to learn about the many different scientific career paths
available to them."

During the three-day symposium, hosted by the Amgen Foundation in
collaboration with the University of Cambridge, students will meet
their peers, share their summer research projects and hear firsthand
from leading industry and academic scientists. The students will
learn how biotechnology has brought about the discovery and
development of important human therapeutics, as well as discuss the
many career options available in academia and industry for
scientists.

"As we celebrate Cambridge's 800th anniversary, we remember that
this university was the birthplace of revolutionary scientific
innovation with Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin amongst our
distinguished graduates," said Tony Minson, professor of Virology in
the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge and
director of the Amgen Scholars European Coordinating Centre. "In this
historic year, it seems appropriate for Cambridge to host this first
ground-breaking symposium, which will provide students with the
unique opportunity to engage with fellow students from around Europe
as well as highly regarded scientists."

"I chose the Amgen Scholars Europe Programme to gain insight into
current research topics from inspirational mentors, exchange
experiences with other students and learn some new research methods
and techniques beyond the theoretical background at my home
university," said Matilda Males, a student from University of Zagreb
in Croatia who is participating in Amgen Scholars Europe at LMU in
Germany. "But, I have gained so much more. The programme has
encouraged me to keep pursuing a career in science as I have learned
first hand that science not only requires a lot of hard work, but
that the excitement and innovation of trying to discover something
new can pay off."

Each Amgen Scholar host university is in charge of selecting
participants from colleges and universities within their own country
as well as from across Europe. While each programme site has its own
application process, all require an official transcript of results to
date, a letter of recommendation and a personal statement or essay.
Financial support for students is a critical component of the
programme, which seeks to enable eligible students, regardless of
their financial status, to participate.

For more information about Amgen Scholars or an application,
please visit www.amgenscholars.eu.

About the Amgen Foundation

The Amgen Foundation (www.amgen.com/citizenship/overview.html)
seeks to advance science education; improve patient access to quality
care; and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live
and work. Since 1991, the Foundation has made 130 million USD in
grants to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States,
Puerto Rico and Europe that impact society in inspiring and
innovative ways, and those that provide disaster relief efforts
internationally.

About Amgen Scholars

Established in 2006, Amgen Scholars is a 27.5 million USD
initiative that provides undergraduates with the opportunity for
hands-on research at some of the world's leading universities. In the
U.S., the host universities are California Institute of Technology;
Columbia University/Barnard College; Howard University; MIT; Stanford
University; University of California, Berkeley; UCLA; University of
California, San Diego; University of California, San Francisco; and
University of Washington. In Europe, the participating universities
are the University of Cambridge; Karolinska Institute; and
Ludwig-Maximilians-University.

To date, more than 800 students have participated in the Amgen
Scholars Programmme. Considered among the most competitive summer
research programmes in the U.S., several Amgen Scholar alumni have
gone on to pursue doctorates at leading universities with some being
selected for premier fellowships including the Rhodes Scholarships.

CONTACTS: Amgen
UK: Emma Gilbert +44-1223-436713
Europe: Annette Condon +353-87-2841951
U.S.: Kristen Davis +1-805-447-3008

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081015/AMGENLOGO)

ots Originaltext: Amgen Inc.
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Emma Gilbert, UK, +44-1223-436713, or Annette Condon, Europe,
+353-87-2841951, or Kristen Davis, U.S., +1-805-447-3008, all of
Amgen; Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081015/AMGENLOGO