Full-Scale Efforts to Attract WHO Workforce Training 'Global Bio Campus' Begin
Active Bio Workforce Development in Collaboration with Institutions and Companies in the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone
[Asia Economy Honam News Bureau, Kim Chunsu] On February 22, Hwasun County announced that it had formed the Jeonnam Bio Workforce Development Council and held an agreement ceremony at the Biomedical Research Center to attract the WHO Workforce Training 'Global Bio Campus'.
This agreement involved institutions within the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone, including Hwasun County, Jeollanam-do Province, Jeonnam Bioindustry Foundation, Vaccine Safety Technology Support Center, Microbial Demonstration Support Center, Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR), GC Green Cross Hwasun Plant, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, and Chonnam National University College of Medicine.
The main points of the agreement are: ▲cooperation to attract the WHO Workforce Training 'Global Bio Campus'; ▲collaboration in developing and operating bio workforce training programs; and ▲joint use of educational and practical training infrastructure, as well as support for improving living conditions.
The Global Bio Campus is a workforce training project being promoted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare after the WHO designated Korea as a global bio-pharmaceutical workforce training country in February last year, aiming to address international vaccine inequality highlighted by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to establish educational infrastructure for bio-pharmaceutical production processes, aiming to train 2,000 domestic and international bio professionals annually, including those from developing countries. The ministry is expected to finalize this year's business plan and announce a public call for applications.
The Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone is the only vaccine industry zone in Korea with concentrated vaccine infrastructure, including 15 supporting institutions and 33 bio companies. It possesses full-cycle vaccine infrastructure covering all stages from research and development, (pre-)clinical trials, certification, to commercialization.
Recognizing that attracting bio companies and supplying high-quality talent through collaboration with institutions in the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone is essential for becoming a hub of the global bio industry, Hwasun County has been continuously holding consultations with relevant organizations since last year to foster bio workforce and attract the Global Bio Campus.
On the 22nd, the Center for Biopharmaceutical Research held an agreement ceremony for the Jeonnam Bio Workforce Development Council to attract the WHO Human Resources Development Global Bio Campus. Photo by Hwasun County
Governor Koo Bokgyu stated, "Attracting the Global Bio Campus will establish Hwasun as a hub for training world-class bio professionals and lay the foundation for Hwasun's future growth industries. I believe it will serve as a major driving force in securing outstanding talent within the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone and in responding to population decline."
He continued, "Today's agreement marks an important step for the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone to advance beyond Korea and become a global bio center. I ask for your support and wisdom to help us successfully attract the WHO Global Bio Campus."
Hwasun County plans to further strengthen its domestic and international networks to attract the 'Global Bio Campus' by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Jeollanam-do Province and multinational global companies on the 28th.
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