International Students Visited AstraZeneca to Learn About Environmental Sustainability

On October 16, international students from Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg visited AstraZeneca’s site as part of a business visit organized by Unimeet Gothenburg. The visit centered around AstraZeneca’s environmental sustainability initiatives and offered students a unique opportunity to explore how science and industry work together to promote a healthier planet.

The event, on October 16th, welcomed around 40 students eager to learn more about AstraZeneca’s work in sustainable science. The visit featured presentations, mingling opportunities, and a guided tour of the site, all designed to give participants valuable insights into the company’s operations and sustainability efforts.

Two presentations were held during the visit. Richard Lewis, Principal Scientist in NMR Spectroscopy, gave a talk on helium recycling in the laboratories—highlighting how the company works to reduce waste and resource usage in scientific research. Martin Johansson, Accountable Engineer in Energy Management, spoke about sustainable energy solutions at the site and how AstraZeneca is reducing its environmental footprint.

Students also had the opportunity to network over fika with members of AZinspire, an internal employee resource group supporting early-career professionals at AstraZeneca.

The visit concluded with The Amazing Journey—a guided site tour led by Anders Borde, Senior Scientist, and Emelyne Diers, Associate Principal Scientist. A guided tour and exhibition designed to showcase AstraZeneca’s science, innovation and impact.

Sophia Benning. Photo: Birgitta Bergerlind

Sophia Benning, an international student in the Master’s program in Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering at Chalmers, was one of the participants. She shared how the visit changed her perspective on working at a large company:

— I was mainly curious to see what a big company like AstraZeneca looks like, but I was surprised by how much actually related to my field, she said.

Sophia also noted that the visit made AstraZeneca feel like a possible future workplace:

— Before, I was a bit intimidated by big companies, but now I can really imagine working here. You can tell there’s more heart in this place than people might think.

She described the atmosphere as inspiring and welcoming, saying:

— It reminded us of university and the research lifestyle – just a bit cleaner and more organized.

She concluded that the experience gave her valuable insights and called it “a fascinating experience.”

Unimeet Gothenburg’s goal with company visits like this is to connect international students with the region’s businesses, strengthen professional networks, and encourage international talents to consider a future career in Gothenburg after their studies.

Unimeet Gothenburg is a collaboration between the University of Gothenburg, Chalmers University of Technology, and The Trade & Industry Group at Göteborg & Co. The initiative promotes exchange between international students and the local business community, while also creating social and professional meeting places.

Schedule

Thursday 16 October 2025