-  Conducted from February 13 to February 26 for two weeks… Combining theory and hands-on training at a cGMP-certified manufacturing facility in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do

▲ Completion ceremony in front of the Microbial Bioprocess Center building

PCMO (Director Min Cho, hereinafter referred to as the "Center") announced on the 27th that it successfully completed its GMP training program for vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, which was conducted for 16 students majoring in biotechnology and life sciences from February 13 to February 26.

This training program was held at the Center, located in Hwasun's Vaccine Industry Special Zone, and featured a structured curriculum combining theoretical education with practical training. Notably, the Center utilized its state-of-the-art cGMP facilities to provide insights into the latest R&D trends, while also hosting networking sessions with industry professionals to encourage active participation from trainees.

The training curriculum was designed based on the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines established by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, ensuring that students could easily grasp real-world applications through a balance of theory and hands-on experience. Key training modules included; ▲ Fundamentals of GMP ▲ Validation and equipment qualification ▲ Manufacturing site theory and facility tour ▲ Utility (facility management) theory and practical training ▲Quality control (QC) training ▲ Virtual reality (VR)-based bioprocess training. Lectures were delivered by industry experts with extensive hands-on experience, further enhancing the program’s practical value.

▲ Conducting VR training

▲ Conducting validation training

For the first time, the Center conducted a nationwide open recruitment for this training program, receiving 38 applications for 16 available spots, resulting in a competitive ratio of 2.38:1. The Center conducted a rigorous selection process, prioritizing candidates with academic backgrounds in vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, thereby providing practical training opportunities to individuals in need of industry experience.

One participant expressed their satisfaction with the program, stating, "The two-week training was incredibly insightful and helped me gain hands-on experience. I hope there will be a longer curriculum available in the future. This program has given me a competitive edge in preparing for various industry roles."

Meanwhile, the Center is preparing to expand its training initiatives through the Vaccine Industry Workforce Development Program, supported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy and Hwasun County, Jeollanam-do. With the opening of a new training facility in June 2025, the Center aims to train more than 900 professionals by 2026. In response to the high demand observed in this training program, the Center is planning a significant expansion of its training operations upon the facility’s completion.

The new training center, set to open in June 2025, will be the largest GMP training facility in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region, equipped with state-of-the-art bioprocessing and quality control equipment. This includes 50L bioreactors, autoclaves, continuous centrifuges for pharmaceutical production, as well as HPLC, LC-MS, and microbial/environmental monitoring instruments for quality control training.

With these advanced facilities, the Center aims to establish itself as a leading educational hub for biopharmaceutical manufacturing in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region. This initiative, in conjunction with Hwasun’s designation as a specialized biotech cluster, is expected to significantly strengthen local GMP capabilities and contribute to the advancement of the cutting-edge biopharmaceutical industry.