ITE Unveils Revamped Purpose-Built Bioprocess & Pharmaceutical Centre to Strengthen Capabilities in Life Sciences and Enhance Talent Development Pipeline

As part of the ITE Biopharmaceutical Conference 2026, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) has unveiled a revamped, purpose-built, biopharmaceutical manufacturing training facility, the Bioprocess & Pharmaceutical Centre (BPC). Starting from January 2027, it will allow close to 600 Higher Nitec in Bio-Chemical Technology (opens in new tab) students, 600 Higher Nitec in Chemical Process Technology (opens in new tab) students, and 150 Work-Study Diploma (WSDip) in Chemical Process Technology (opens in new tab) trainees annually, across seven different modules, to bridge classroom learning with realistic exposure to cleanroom practices and bioprocessing workflows. The list of modules conducted at the BPC under each course can be found in Annex A.

The launch of the revamped BPC was convened alongside the conference, where two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between ITE and Repligen (opens in new tab), and ITE and Haier Biomedical (opens in new tab) were signed. Collectively, the revamped BPC and collaborations represent a concerted endeavour by ITE and its partners to develop and nurture talent for the biopharma industry. Guest-of-Honour Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of National Development officiated the launch of the facility and witnessed the signing of the MOUs.

The revamped BPC, which features an ISO Class 5 cleanroom environment, is purposefully designed to mirror industry-aligned Current Good Manufacturing Practices^[1] (cGMP) and it supports the use of current industry bioprocess equipment for tangential-flow filtration and downstream processing.

Lecturers will be able to teach the manufacturing journey and workflow in an integrated manner, helping students visualise how one process affects the next and cultivate a systems-thinking approach. By enabling students to develop practical competencies and familiarity with industry workflows, the BPC helps prepare them for careers as process and biopharmaceutical manufacturing technicians, laboratory technicians, and quality assurance and quality control technicians in biopharmaceutical operations.

Spanning approximately 800 square metres, the BPC houses zones replicating real operational contexts and workflows in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. These include the Gowning Area, Air Showers, Media Prep Room, Upstream Suite, Downstream Suite, Pharmaceutical Suite and the Degowning Area (more information on the zones can be found in Annex B). As part of the ITE-Repligen MOU, students and staff will gain access to Repligen’s bioprocessing technologies and technical expertise with the bioprocess equipment housed within the Downstream Suite in the BPC.

Industry-Aligned Learning for Students, Staff and Professionals
To enhance student and staff capabilities, ITE and Repligen will explore and undertake collaborative initiatives through various means such as joint innovation and consultancy projects, internship opportunities for students, and local or overseas industry attachments for selected staff. Both parties will also co-develop the curricula for students, adult learners and industry professionals in areas such as cleanroom practices, bioprocessing and protein purification. In recognition of their achievements, outstanding students and graduates may also receive sponsorship of awards, course medals and book prizes by Repligen.

As part of the ITE-Haier Biomedical MOU, both parties will work towards establishing a joint applied training laboratory in ITE College East, the ITE-Haier Biomedical Advanced Laboratory, to enrich student, staff and industry capabilities via hands-on learning and industry-aligned laboratory practices and technologies. Equipment and related solutions by Haier Biomedical will be provided to support the training of ITE students and staff in areas that include laboratory automation, product testing, sample handling and storage. Annually, approximately 600 Higher Nitec in Bio-Chemical Technology (opens in new tab) students and 600 Higher Nitec in Chemical Process Technology (opens in new tab) students will stand to benefit from the training laboratory.

ITE and Haier Biomedical will also co-develop both Pre-Employment Training (PET) and Continuing Education & Training (CET) curricula with regards to good laboratory practice, laboratory testing, and sample handling and storage. Further learning opportunities will be given to students through local/overseas internships, and industry visits to Haier Biomedical’s manufacturing facilities, and to selected staff through local/overseas industry attachments. Similarly, outstanding students and graduates may also receive sponsorship of awards, course medals and book prizes by Haier Biomedical.

Mr Alvin Goh, Principal, ITE College East, said, “The biomedical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing landscape is evolving rapidly, with the industry shifting towards flexible, technology-driven and modular ecosystems to handle complex biological modalities. As an educational institution, our role is to ensure that our students and trainees are primed to take on dynamic challenges, seizing opportunities in this new era. By collaborating with industry experts such as Repligen and Haier Biomedical to provide integrated, realistic training environments, and co-developing curricula with them, we are equipping our students and trainees with the skillsets to excel and contribute meaningfully to this industry.”

^[1] Current Good Manufacturing Practices are regulations enforced by the US Food and Drug Administration that ensure the proper design, monitoring and control of manufacturing processes and facilities.

Annex B: Functions of the zones within the Bioprocess & Pharmaceutical Centre

Functions of the zones within the Bioprocess & Pharmaceutical Centre