Europe’s 2 million STEM gap: where does ScienceBEAT fit in?

The whole world, including Europe, is facing a huge shortage of STEM professionals. The real question is not just about closing the gap, but also about how to inspire young minds to see themselves as part of the solution. 

This is why programs like ScienceBEAT are so important. It puts young people right in the middle of the industry that needs them most. Imagine this: four days, a team of strangers from nine different countries, and a challenge drawn straight from the pharmaceutical sector. How far could you go? 

That’s the premise behind ScienceBEAT, our annual early talent program that is anything but a classic student event. This September in Ljubljana, 34 carefully selected participants – chosen from a competitive pool of 141 applicants representing 15 countries – were given a rare opportunity to step behind the curtain of a global pharmaceutical company. Over the course of several days, they were introduced to the inner workings of Lek and Sandoz, accessing insights that are rarely available to students at the start of their careers. 

Their program combined visits to state-of-the-art research and production facilities, including direct interaction with leading scientists, experts and business professionals who are shaping the future of medicines. Yet the experience extended beyond observation. The participants were challenged to apply what they had learned in an intensive group project, working in multicultural teams, devising innovative solutions to pressing, real-world challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry. In doing so, they were exposed to the complexity of the sector and, at the same time, given a chance to test their own skills, creativity and resilience in an environment that closely mirrored the professional reality awaiting them. 

The group challenge has become the defining feature of ScienceBEAT, turning passive learning into active problem solving. The atmosphere was intense, with students from different backgrounds bringing together knowledge from life sciences, biotechnology and business studies. 

“The best part was the teamwork. You’re pushed beyond limits you didn’t even know you had. And you realize that real growth happens there,” said members of the winning Blue Bees team - Iva Petković (Serbia), Janez Smerkolj (Slovenia), Domen Pregeljc (Slovenia), Luka Joveski (North Macedonia), Tajda Klobučar (Slovenia) and Asja Omerovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina). 

From nothing to lose, to everything to gain 

ScienceBEAT also celebrates individual achievement. This year’s winner, Maksimiljan Dekleva from Slovenia, didn’t just walk away with a certificate. “What I’ll remember most is the community,” he said, “people who genuinely want to welcome you into the company, people who offer advice on how to grow. Before applying, I told myself, you’ve got nothing to lose. Go. Meet the industry. Meet inspiring people. Step out of your comfort zone and try to do something great.” 

Building a bridge between academia and industry 

For participants, the benefits of ScienceBEAT are clear: hands-on experience, exposure to cutting-edge science, and connections with peers and professionals that may shape their careers for years to come. But the program is equally important for Lek. It reflects a broader strategy of building bridges between academia and industry, ensuring that the brightest minds see Slovenia not only as a place of study but also as a place to build their careers. 

According to Gregor Makuc , Chief Executive Director at Lek and Country President Sandoz Slovenia, the company approaches talent acquisition with the same innovation and proactivity that it applies to science itself. Its numerous awards for HR practices testify to this approach, and ScienceBEAT stands as one of its most impactful initiatives. By giving emerging talent the chance to develop their potential and connect with leading experts, Lek not only supports their growth but also gains the opportunity to identify outstanding individuals early and offer them concrete career opportunities. In this way, ScienceBEAT becomes a bridge between academia and industry, and a powerful instrument for shaping the future of the sector. 

The impact of ScienceBEAT extends well beyond Slovenia, aligning closely with Sandoz’s worldwide strategy of nurturing the next generation of talent. As @Jure Vajs, Global Early Talent Lead, emphasized, “ScienceBEAT is now an important part of our approach to attracting and developing new talent. We are pleased that many participants go on to join our team and, with our support, build their careers in pharma and biotech. ScienceBEAT is not just a one-time experience, but a true springboard for launching a professional journey in the pharmaceutical industry.” 

A vision for the future 

Over the past three years, ScienceBEAT has established itself as a unique platform for connecting academia, business and young talent across borders. Its growing international recognition is evident in the increasing numbers of applications from abroad, making it a meeting point not only for Slovenian students but also for future scientists and business leaders from the wider region. 

What sets ScienceBEAT apart is its dual role. On one hand, it equips participants with knowledge, skills and confidence at a critical moment in their careers. On the other, it strengthens Lek’s ability to attract and nurture the next generation of professionals who will carry forward the company’s mission of improving access to medicines worldwide. 

As this year’s edition concluded, it was clear that ScienceBEAT is not simply an event, but a journey — one that begins with the decision to take a chance and often ends with the realization that there is much more to gain than there ever was ever to lose.