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.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man