The Medical Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutical sectors are among the fastest growing in the Life Sciences area both nationally and internationally.This programme is jointly offered by ATU Sligo and NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training).This Masters programme in Science in Validation and Digitalisation aims to provide students with a comprehensive grounding in critical aspects of Biopharmaceutical Processing and Support Services, with specific focus on the validation of equipment and facilities and understating of the applications of BioIndustry 4.0.The programmes are aimed at manufacturing, quality, engineering and site management personnel who are looking to increase their understanding and application of the latest digital trends and technologies in the validation and digitalisation fields and who already hold a Level 8 qualification in science or engineering disciplines.It will provide a postgraduate qualification in the area of digitalisation that will form both an introduction for new or proposed entrants to the area and additional skills and knowledge to those working in the area.NIBRT/ATU Sligo have consulted extensively with biopharmaceutical employers located both regionally and nationally to determine the types of skills and training needs required for this sector and all have indicated that there are skills shortages emerging in certain areas and occupations, in particular around validation and data analytics. Senior management, who have responsibility for training and hiring within these organisations, have indicated that significant job openings will arise in the biosciences industry in the next few years, between expansion and replacement demand and a highly skilled pool of graduates will be needed to fill their manufacturing roles.These proposed programmes are a joint initiative by ATU Sligo and NIBRT who have enjoyed a long-standing working relationship with the shared vision of offering targeted training aligned to and directly addressing the skills requirements of the Biopharma/Pharmachem sector, identified in the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs report on the Future Skills Needs of the Biopharma Industry in Ireland.In Q4 2020, Boston Consulting Group and NIBRT have opened the worlds first Innovation Centre, in Dublin, dedicated to Biopharma Operations. The Innovation Centre showcases the latest Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in Biopharma manufacturing, quality control and training excellence. These technologies are integrated with core operating processes to enable proof-of-concept use cases on new innovations and new ways of working, situated in a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) simulated environment.The biopharmaceutical industry is among Irelands most significant investors. There are 84,000 highly skilled people directly and indirectly employed in the sector and the expectation is that this will increase by up to 10,000 jobs over the next 5 years, (NIBRT Annual Report, 2022).
| College | Atlantic Technological University (ATU Sligo) |
| Course ID | 192989 |
| Course Type | Online Learning |
| Course Qualification | Masters Degree |
| Course Start Date | 1st January 1970 |
| Course Duration | 3 years |
| Course Time | Part-time |
| Course Fee | 12000 |
| Entry Requirements | The programme is open to students who have obtained an Honours degree or its equivalent in an appropriate discipline (i.e. Engineering or Life Sciences). Other candidates with alternative Honours degrees and experience in the BioProcessing industry may apply for consideration (typically 5 Years duration in a GMP environment). The entry requirements will encompass recognition of prior accredited learning in other third level institutions, in accordance with ATU procedures. RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions / credit from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work and career. Further information is available through www.a tu.ie/rpl which is our dedicated RPL portal. English Requirement Applicants whose first language is not English should provide evidence of English language proficiency. |
| Career Path | This programme is aimed at manufacturing, quality, engineering and site management personnel who are looking to increase their understanding and application of the latest digital trends and technologies in the validation and digitalisation fields and who already hold a Level 8 qualification in science or engineering disciplines. |
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This programme is run in conjunction with NIBRT (National Institute for Biopharmaceutical Research and Training), with many of the lecturers and guest lecturers from NIBRT.
