GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Chang Gung University (CGU) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance exchange between industry and academia, and lay the foundation for the cultivation of healthcare professionals in Taiwan.
In the agreement, GSK Taiwan has prioritized the provision of internship opportunities for university students in the pharmaceutical industry, starting from last month until August 2026.
Presiding over the signing ceremony were GSK Taiwan general manager Sherman Yu (余慧明) and CGU president Tang Ming-je (湯明哲). GSK director of human resources Lin Tzu-hao (林子豪) and director of public affairs Tien Kai-wei (田開瑋) were also present, along with CGU vice president Yang Chih-wei (楊智偉).
Photo courtesy of GSK
CGU is a leading research institution committed to nurturing the next generation of cross-disciplinary talent in healthcare, biomedical science, biomedical engineering, medical humanities and smart healthcare, while GSK is an international biopharmaceutical company that seeks to fuse science, technology and talent to fight disease.
Together, the two aim to promote industry-academia collaboration to cultivate public health expertise in Taiwan, the organizations said.
GSK is a partner in Taiwan’s medical care, helping to protect the health of Taiwanese through innovative medicines and vaccines, Yu said.
Through the MOU, the two sides may jointly cultivate the seeds of talent to develop a sense of mission and ability to contribute to public health, she said.
GSK looks forward to expressing its dedication to Taiwan’s healthcare environment through this collaboration with CGU, she added.
Faced with an aging population and an increasing need for treatment in Taiwan, GSK has for years been supporting preventative vaccinations for all ages, helping to reduce medical expenditure while promoting healthy aging, Yu said.
In addition to the concept of preventive vaccination, the talent cultivation focus of this MOU demonstrates another of GSK’s strengths that it hopes to inject into the public health environment in Taiwan, she said.
Corporate internships give students an understanding of job requirements as well as practical experience, Tang said.
Experiencing a working atmosphere and interacting with front-line staff can help students plan their future careers, while strengthening their soft and hard skills before entering the workplace, he added.
As students already receive thorough theoretical training on campus, internships can quickly familiarize them with practical work, Tang said.
They also give partnered enterprises priority in selecting those with potential, and the ability to advise students on which courses to pursue, resulting in a win-win situation for students and businesses alike, he added.
As a company that aims to fight disease through science, technology and talent, GSK places great importance on talent development, as well as the product pipeline and the talent pipeline, Yu said.
In addition to combining resources to strengthen the link between industry and academia, this collaboration with CGU can hopefully help create a future talent pool for the pharmaceutical industry, she said.
GSK is committed to the health, wellbeing and career development of its employees, and strives to create a positive, diverse and inclusive workplace that attracts, retains and encourages staff, in turn creating better health outcomes for the patients who use its medicines and vaccines. GSK hopes to enable its employees to thrive, be themselves at work, feel happy and fulfilled, and continue to grow.
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