WHO launches steering committee for biomanufacturing training hub in Korea
The logo and building of the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva is seen in this file photo. The WHO launched the official steering committee for its new global biomanufacturing training hub in Korea, Thursday, and confirmed its education plan for 2022. AP-Yonhap
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the official steering committee for its new global biomanufacturing training hub in Korea, Thursday, and confirmed its education plan for 2022, according to the health ministry.
In February, the U.N. health agency announced its decision to establish the global training hub in Korea aimed at supporting low- and middle-income countries wishing to strengthen their biomanufacturing technology and production capabilities.
The steering committee, co-chaired by Lee Kang-ho, head of the health ministry's global vaccine hub operations, and WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan, held its inaugural meeting via video links Thursday following four preparatory meetings.
In the meeting, the committee confirmed the plan for the hub's 2022 education program. It plans to offer biomanufacturing training to 370 industry personnel from developing countries and 140 of their domestic counterparts within the year.
The program will be centered on theoretical courses and on-site visits to manufacturing facilities until a dedicated global bio campus for participating trainees is established, according to officials.
In August of last year, the government announced its goal to become the world's fifth-largest vaccine-producing nation by 2025 by investing 2.2 trillion won ($1.87 billion) in related industries. (Yonhap)