On July 7, Siheung City opened the “Gyeonggi Siheung SNU Pharmaceutical Bio-Pharmaceutical Human Resources Training Center” on the 5th floor of the Education Cooperation Building at Seoul National University's Siheung Campus and began full-scale educational operations.

The establishment of this center follows the completion of educational facilities and equipment construction through collaboration between Gyeonggi Province, Siheung City, and Seoul National University, following the selection of the center as a recipient of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Bio Regional Campus Program in July 2023. The center is expected to emerge as a core educational institution for cultivating specialized human resources to lead the domestic and international pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

The opening ceremony, held at the Seoul National University Siheung Campus Convention Hall, was attended by approximately 150 guests, including Siheung Mayor Byeong-taek Lim, Gyeonggi Province Deputy Governor Young-in Ko, Seoul National University President Hong-rim Yoo, National Assembly Member Jong-sik Cho, Siheung City Council Speaker In-yeol Oh, Siheung City Council members, and representatives from industry, academia, research, and healthcare in the biotechnology field.

The event began with congratulatory speeches by the attendees, followed by the presentation of a vision video for the Gyeonggi Siheung Bio Specialized Zone and the center's implementation plan. Additionally, an education cooperation agreement with bio companies was signed, an opening ceremony was held, and a tour of the training facilities took place.

In the second part, a bio education policy forum was held on the theme of “Building a Full-Cycle, Company-Customized Education Innovation Platform.” Through panel discussions, experts shared their opinions on the future direction of the center's education programs, and industry demands were discussed, creating a meaningful opportunity for exchange.

The Gyeonggi Siheung SNU Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharmaceutical Human Resources Training Center spans a total area of 1,477.41 square meters (447 pyeong) and features a practical training facility compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, as well as 11 practical training rooms capable of educating students through the entire process of pharmaceutical cultivation, purification, formulation, and analysis. In addition, the center plans to develop various customized training programs for companies, including antibody processes, cell and gene therapy development, AI-based pharmaceutical manufacturing quality control, and trends in biopharmaceutical regulations, and to train approximately 1,500 students by the end of the year.

Prior to its official opening, the center held special lectures reflecting the latest industry trends in the bio field as a pilot program, which was well received by more than 1,000 bio industry professionals.

Additionally, the center will collaborate with Seoul National University, Siheung Baegot Seoul National University Hospital, Jongkyeongdang, and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology to function as an industry-academia-research-hospital collaboration platform. As the first educational institution within the Siheung Bio Specialized Zone, it is expected to play a central role in fostering startups and entrepreneurship, as well as in developing the bio ecosystem.

Lim Byung-taek, Mayor of Siheung City, stated, “The opening of this center holds significant meaning as it establishes a foundation for Siheung City to cultivate bio talent. We anticipate that it will serve as a stable source of specialized manpower required by the industry. The city will actively support the center to ensure it fulfills its role as a bridge between education and industry.”

[News Source: Siheung City, Gyeonggi-do]