In a time of rapid change and an ever-growing need for knowledge, the Hemofarm Foundation has, for 32 years, been giving momentum to young people who do not wait for opportunities — they create them.

Through the education program You Can Do It, nearly 4,000 students have been supported in turning their dreams into careers, bridging theory and practice, learning from the best in the pharmaceutical industry, and from one another. Many of them now lead teams and companies, teach future generations, or conduct scientific research focused on the well-being of people, communities, and the planet. That is why You Can Do It is not just a scholarship, it is a community that brings together academic excellence, hands-on experience, and a culture of responsibility.

Many success stories have emerged from this community — one of them is the story of Dragana Grahovac, a former Hemofarm Foundation scholar and now a PhD candidate at the prestigious École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Dragana recently graduated from the University of Cambridge in the field of micro- and nanotechnology, and her path — from Petnica and WWF Adria to internships at Michelin, Swisslion, Petrohemija, and AmCham shows how far curiosity and the courage to step outside the familiar can take you.

“I would absolutely recommend that everyone nurture curiosity and versatility! All those activities outside the classroom shaped me far more than I could have imagined at the time. Through them, I discovered new interests, learned how to navigate different situations, and gained skills I use every day. I recently came across the term generalist, a person who cannot be defined in a single sentence because they are curious and open to different fields. I believe that’s exactly what I am! While it’s wonderful when someone finds their calling early, I believe that a ‘broad’ path also has its advantages, because every experience even the one that doesn’t turn out as expected contributes to the picture of who you are and where you want to go.”

When asked how she remembers her participation in the program, Dragana says she recommends it to everyone. “I’ve already told younger colleagues that they absolutely must apply, because it’s a wonderful and invaluable experience. Even though it was challenging to balance our commitments, we all managed to make the most of every opportunity - to learn, network, and complete everything on time. The most valuable thing I carry from that period is the people. I still see my colleagues from the program, one visited me at Cambridge, and I travelled to Trebinje with the others! The diversity of our backgrounds made every discussion interesting and inspiring.”

She especially valued the mentorship with Marija Spasojević, now a Process and Project Specialist in the Inspection Team at Hemofarm in Vršac, who helped her connect theoretical knowledge with practical work. “The program taught me how important soft skills are: communication, teamwork, presenting - all the things you can’t learn from a book, yet make an enormous difference in practice.”

She describes her year at Cambridge as intense, but beautiful. “From the initial cultural shock of realizing that no one uses cash in shops, to discovering that the British drink more beer than tea every day was a small experiment. What matters most, however, is the Cambridge approach to learning. Academic excellence goes hand in hand with mental-health awareness, sports, and social life. I met incredible people: scientists, decision-makers, future industry leaders and learned what a truly international environment looks like, where ideas collide and new ones are born. The experience taught me that the knowledge gained at the University of Belgrade stands strong alongside global standards, and that we come from a country full of potential.”

She is currently pursuing her PhD at EPFL, where she researches the development of sustainable alternatives for elastomers, foams, and dielectric materials. “If everything goes as planned, I would love to try my hand at entrepreneurship one day perhaps through a startup that combines science and sustainability. Whether that will be in Serbia or somewhere in Europe, we’ll see. But in any case, I want to give back to the community I come from.”

At the end of the conversation, Dragana shares a message: “Everyone should nurture curiosity, empathy, and a sense of responsibility not only professionally, but as human beings. Everything we do, whether in science, art, or volunteering, is part of the same puzzle. And the key piece, at least for me, was the courage to try.”

If you would like to become a Hemofarm Foundation scholar, apply for the scholarship competition for the 2025/2026 academic year. The call, open from November 10 to December 1, 2025, is intended for students of medical, pharmaceutical, technological, chemical, and technical faculties (electrical engineering and mechanical engineering tracks) with an average grade of at least 8.50. Information about the requirements and application process is available on the Hemofarm Foundation’s website and social media channels.