Prism Ideas, a leading independent provider of medical communications and drug development consultancy services, today announced that the company will be collaborating with the University of Liverpool to provide career support and training on communication skills to the institution's postgraduate students. The multi-stage partnership will initially see Prism Ideas work with the university to raise awareness of careers within medical communications and share the company's expert technical knowledge and skills with students through workshops and presentations. 

Prism Ideas is one of the UK's fastest growing international medical communications providers and offers a unique combination of services and in-house expertise covering clinical programme consultancy, clinical trial support and medical marketing. The collaboration with one of the country's leading research universities will enable Prism Ideas to demonstrate to students the value of a scientific background within the medical communications field. In addition, the company will have access to specialist advice from academia that will enhance its in-house skills to the benefit of customers. 

To further build the company's links with higher education, Prism Ideas will also fittingly be sponsoring the annual PRISM (Postgraduate Research in Science Medicine) 2010 conference at Lancaster University on Thursday 23 September. The University of Liverpool highlighted the appropriateness of the annual event for Prism Ideas and invited the company to get involved.

Specifically designed for postgraduate researchers, the conference showcases healthcare and biomedical science research in the North West. Prism Ideas will be showcasing its portfolio of services at the event and students will be able to meet the company's expert team and gain an in-depth understanding of medical communications and career prospects within the business. 

Carol Hills, director of medical marketing services at Prism Ideas,comments: "We are delighted to be collaborating with the University of Liverpool. We recognise that there is a need to build upon and improve the links between education and business in medical communications. Working closely with UK universities will enable us to help prepare people for a career in this innovative industry and create opportunities for promising young talent. We hope to work on many ongoing training projects in the future as the experience gained will be invaluable for students and a real asset to the company." 

For further information on the PRISM 2010 conference please visit www.vitae.ac.uk/prism2010