Louis Hui

When Louis Hui learned about the WestLink Technology Commercialization Internship Program, he recognized its value immediately. "Where else can you get a quality and diverse experience from three different jobs in two years time without it looking suspicious on your résumé?" asks Hui.

Before entering the program, Hui had just finished his Master's in Biomedical Technology from the University of Calgary. Always interested in science, Hui did not want to continue with his PhD or remain in the research domain. Instead, he looked for a way to combine his science background with a passion in business.

His first placement was with Resverlogix, a Calgary-based biotechnology company focused on developing drugs for the cardiovascular market. There, Hui was involved in a range of activities, including competitive and market analysis and working on a database to track compounds.

"One of the highlights was the exposure I had to different management executives," says Hui. "It provided me with insight on what a small biotechnology company needs to do to survive."

Hui's second stop was with Simon Fraser University Industry Liaison Office where he helped prepare agreements, write grants and worked closely with early-stage technologies to help advance their research and commercial programs ranging from telecommunications to health sciences. One of the business plans he worked on earned a spot as a Top 10 finalist of the New Ventures BC competition. "It was interesting to see a professor's learning experience shift from academia to a business view of things," he says. "It was a challenge coaching them, but fun." At his third placement, AVAC Ltd., Hui tackled another sector of the commercialization industry. The private, not-for-profit company invests in risky early-stage commercial businesses that expand Alberta's value-added industry. Hui's duties with AVAC included running due diligence on potential investees and prospecting new Albertan technology companies.

"What I like about this position is having the ability to help advance some of the interests of companies and individuals that are so passionate about what they are doing," says Hui. "It's exciting to be part of a company whose mandate is to support innovation in Alberta, but without being as cutthroat as some venture capital places.

"Instead of just sending people away, we spend time with them and help them develop a business strategy or whatever is needed so they can become a sustainable technology company."

Hui stayed on with AVAC as an employee after his internship ended in December. He acknowledges he wouldn't have landed the job had it not been for his WestLink internship. "The extensive network was invaluable," he says.

"The ability to interact with people who have done so much in their fields was a great opportunity-I don't think that I could be in another job for two years and have worked with so many influential people.

"I think WestLink provides a win-win for everyone involved. The private companies that support us get trained and qualified labour at a low cost, the interns get the training and experience and western Canada gets highly skilled and well trained graduates coming out of a top-notch program."