Lab Coats and Local Roots: Rural Women Shine in Pfizer-GITAM Partnership

Pfizer Healthcare India and GITAM University have partnered to empower rural women by providing them with structured employment and education opportunities through the Pfizer Autonomous Teams (PAT) programme. This path-breaking initiative, targeted in Visakhapatnam, will boost female participation in the pharma sector, particularly among local talent from nearby districts.

The PAT program is a women-only work-integrated learning program that allows participants to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with specialisation in Microbiology and gain three years of on-the-job experience in various functions in Pfizer's manufacturing plant. The students, aged on average 19 years, are recruited locally, and hence the benefits of the program reach and impact rural communities directly.

Key highlights of the program:

Over 340 women are on the PAT programme, with the latest cohort adding 103 students to the roll, following earlier intakes of 47 and 120 students.

The "earn while you learn" mode enables women to earn their own money as they attain further education and professional skill building.

Graduates of the programme gain multi-disciplinary skills to prepare them for potential leadership roles in the pharma and healthcare industry.

The initiative is a good example of a successful industry-academia partnership, with GITAM providing academic expertise and Pfizer injecting real-world industry experience.

The initiative is part of Pfizer's broader dedication to equity, with a view to help women be heard, seen, and empowered in science-based fields.

Top administrators of both entities have praised the courage and dedication of the students, along with the support of their family members. Not only does the PAT program fill gaps in working men and women along gender lines, but it also inspires the next generation of skilled professionals from rural India, a model for collaborations similar to this in India's science and medical sectors.

Sources: The Hans India, UNI India, Pfizer Press Release