Merck Enriches Biotech Education at N.C. A&T
America’s largest HBCU, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C.A&T) and Merck, a premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company, have joined forces to heed the call for more biotechnical training and education in North Carolina. Their collaboration has yielded the Merck Biotechnology Learning Center which will provide students a look inside the biotech industry and help them envision a career in this industry.
The 4,025 square-foot facility includes classroom space, a process laboratory and biopharmaceutical manufacturing equipment. Students and Merck trainees will experience hands-on learning and advanced discovery opportunities to enhance academic programing and training for biotechnology careers.
Tonya Smith-Jackson, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs is enthusiastic about how the partnership will build bridges between academia and industry, providing students with unparalleled access to state-of-the-art labs and invaluable mentorship from Merck professionals. The Merck Biotechnology Learning Center will support the learning of emerging biotech industry leaders who will shape the future of biotechnology.
Sanat Chattopadhyay, Executive Vice President and President of Merck Manufacturing Division explained that this collaboration with NCAT “aligns to our company priorities to invest in the growth and delivery of innovative health solutions and strong values around diversity and inclusion.”
NCAT and Merck will partner on several initiatives to support student enrichment, including curricula development, a speaker series and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) community outreach. One key benefit of this collaboration will be direct employment opportunities for NCAT graduates.
The two institutions have had a long relationship including Merck’s $1 million award to N.C. A&T’s College of Arts and Sciences to support its Center for Outreach Alzheimer’s, Aging and Community Health in 2012.