- Two-week training from January 9 to January 22, featuring hands-on experience at a cGMP-grade facility in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do

▲ Chosun University’s Department of Biomedical Sciences Chair, Seokjun Kim, Professor Chulwoong Choi, and 15 program graduates

PCMO in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do (Director Min Cho, hereinafter referred to as the Center) announced on the 24th that it has successfully completed a two-week GMP training program for 15 students, including those from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Chosun University, from January 9 to January 22.

The training was conducted at the Center, located in the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone, and featured a curriculum combining theoretical instruction with hands-on field training. By utilizing the Center’s state-of-the-art GMP facilities, the program engaged participants through practical training, industry trend analysis, and networking sessions with industry professionals.

The curriculum was designed based on the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards set by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), ensuring a balanced mix of theoretical and practical education. Training topics included:

• - Introduction to GMP fundamentals
• - Validation and equipment qualification
• - Manufacturing site theory and facility tours
• - Utilities (facility management) theory and hands-on training
• - Quality control (QC) training
• - VR-based bioreactor process training

Expert instructors, drawing from their field experience, led the sessions to enhance participants' understanding of GMP operations.

The comprehensive blend of theory and hands-on experience resulted in an overall satisfaction score of 95.9%. Notably, hands-on training with bioreactors, purification equipment, and QC testing received exceptionally high praise, achieving a satisfaction score of 98.

▲ Hands-on training in bioreactor cultivation

Some participants shared their feedback, stating, “The training was highly practical, allowing us to experience real-world operations,” and “The insights from industry professionals on job interviews and workplace expectations were extremely valuable.”

The Center is set to launch a large-scale workforce development initiative with the opening of a new training facility in June 2025, as part of the Vaccine Industry Professional Training Program supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy and Hwasun County, Jeollanam-do. The goal is to train and graduate more than 900 professionals by 2026.

Scheduled for completion in June 2025, the new training center will be the largest GMP training facility in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region. Equipped with advanced training infrastructure, it aims to serve as a hub for nurturing experts in the biopharmaceutical industry. Along with the designation of Hwasun as a specialized biotech cluster, the facility is expected to significantly enhance GMP capabilities in the region and drive the growth of the advanced bioindustry.