“With constant innovations in the biotechnology industry, there is a need for staying current with emerging trends and appropriate workforce skills. These certificates provide an opportunity for skills-training and leadership development s for working professionals. The evening online lecture delivery allows for working professionals to develop workforce and leadership skills while they are employed. I am excited to team up with Blumberg Institute as we launch these certificates.”
Dr. Bilita Mattes, Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Harrisburg University, expressed delight over the partnership. He said, “With these market-driven certificates and working together, Harrisburg University and the Blumberg Institute can directly and positively impact workforce and economic development needs in biotechnology in Pennsylvania, our region, and beyond.”
Students who complete the Certificate in Biomanufacturing in Biotechnology will be trained to work as supervisors or managers in a biotechnology or pharma manufacturing company or contract manufacturing organization. Students who complete the Certificate in Regulatory Affairs in Biotechnology will be trained for leadership roles in the regulatory affairs unit of a biotechnology company. Students who complete the Certificate in Medical Biotechnology will be trained for positions such as research scientists or process development engineers in the healthcare or biomedical device businesses, as well as contract research organizations (CRO).
Timothy M. Block, PhD, president and co-founder of the Blumberg Institute, expressed delight and hopes over the new collaboration. He said, “Collaborating with industry has always been important to the Blumberg Institute as a translational research organization. And in keeping with our academic roots and our research mission, the Harrisburg University program is an ideal fit for us”. He added, “This program is well-designed to meet the needs of both professionals in biotech and companies in the industry, including the nearly 80 members of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, which is managed by the Blumberg Institute.”
Students will study two courses for each semester. One course will be offered entirely online. The second course will be held in a hybrid format, both online and personally. The Blumberg Institute in Doylestown, Bucks County, will host the in-person workshops and classes. Students can also apply for credit into Harrisburg University’s Master of Science in Biotechnology degree using these unduplicated certificate courses.
