Lotte Biologics announced on the 31st that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and Korea Polytechnic University to develop an industry-academia cooperation program. This is the first time Lotte Biologics has signed an agreement with an educational institution to nurture bio-specialized talent.
Lee Won-jik, CEO of Lotte Biologics, Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, and Lim Chun-geon, Acting Chairman of Korea Polytechnic University (from left), are taking a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement. [Photo by Lotte Biologics]
The signing ceremony took place at Korea Polytechnic University's Jeongsu Campus in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Attendees included Lee Jung-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor; Lim Chun-geon, Acting Chairman of Korea Polytechnic University; and representatives from nine bio companies and institutions including Lotte Biologics, Protium Science, K-Cell, Y-Biologics, Curecell, Prestige Biologics, Ngen Bio, ToolGen, and the Korea Bio Association.
Lotte Biologics and other bio companies, together with Korea Polytechnic University, agreed to collaborate on ▲joint development of customized training programs for bio companies ▲providing education, training, and employment opportunities for middle-aged individuals and women with career interruptions ▲offering job competency enhancement training for employees of bio companies. Through this, Korea Polytechnic University expects to secure employment opportunities for its graduates in the bio industry, while companies will cultivate excellent production personnel, establishing a win-win foundation to address the workforce shortage in the bio sector.
As part of this agreement, Lotte Biologics plans to select outstanding talents from Korea Polytechnic University to provide field-customized education and practical training opportunities, ultimately hiring them as production personnel by developing a ‘Bio Talent Curriculum.’ The curriculum will cover core bio theories and practical subjects such as production, quality control and quality assurance (QC·QA), good manufacturing practice (GMP), and validation. Additionally, a systematic intensive English program will be offered throughout all semesters. Both institutions aim to continuously coordinate the detailed contents of the educational program and launch it starting next year.
Lee Won-jik, CEO of Lotte Biologics, stated, “This MOU not only contributes to the development of the bio industry but also aims to help create jobs and improve employment stability, even if just a little. It will serve as an important opportunity to bridge the gap between educational institutions that nurture talent and industries that hire them.”
Lee Jung-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, also said, “It is important to create quality jobs in new growth industries like bio, which young people prefer, and to nurture talents equipped with the skills needed in the field. We will expand opportunities so that youth can find better jobs, and support companies in hiring excellent young talents to improve productivity, thereby creating a virtuous cycle and making Korea a strong bio-technology nation through multifaceted support.”
Lim Chun-geon, Acting Chairman of Korea Polytechnic University, added, “We will promptly nurture workforce that meets field demands through expanding advanced training infrastructure by establishing and reorganizing departments and increasing training opportunities for young people. We will also continue to spread cooperative models that can create synergy with companies.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
