Oslo Cancer Cluster collaborates with the University of Oslo  and Ullern High School  on training the next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs in biotechnology and oncology.

Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park is planned to open in august 2013. As the first project of its kind in the world, the park will bring together clinical cancer research, biotechnological companies within the cancer field and Ullern High School, specialising in sciences and entrepreneurship. But already this year, the academic partnership with Ullern started with several projects.

Guest lectures
The first taste of the academic partnership came with guest lectures held by Lars Aukrust (Executive director of the Division for Innovation at the Norwegian Research Council) and Henrik Lund (Vice President at AstraZeneca R&D) in autumn 2009. Themes for the lectures were Innovation and Business Ethics, engaging the students with in-depth knowledge and discussions. Presenting in the new research building at The Radium Hospital was also the first step towards physical integration.

Innovation and Creativity Camp
Entrepreneurship is an important focus area for the partnership. This year we organised a two-day Innovation and Creativity Camp as a collaboration between Ullern High School, Oslo Cancer Cluster, NHO (Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise), Ya-Ye (Young Achievement Young Enterprise) and the University of Oslo. Oslo Cancer Cluster challenged the students to design innovative methods for communicating the concept of the innovation park. During the camp, both John G. Bernander (CEO at NHO) and Torger Ødegaard (The City Government Oslo – Head of Cultural Affairs and Education) gave motivating and inspiring speeches to the students.

Project in biology
The University of Oslo is an important partner in the school projects. This year a doctoral thesis by Rebecca Carver was used as a framework for biology classes. The project is a good example on how we strive to work in both teacher-scientist and scientist-student perspectives.