Pharmaceutical Engineering Ghent University

Overview

The vision of the Pharmaceutical Engineering at Ghent University is that pharmaceutical production processes of the future will (need to) undergo a major transition to be able to manufacture the increasingly complex and more tailor-made/personalized drug products. On the one hand the implementation of novel manufacturing concepts (e.g., switching from batch to continuous manufacturing) is needed and on the other hand a high degree of digitalisation and automation (implementation of “industry 4.0” concepts such as soft sensors and digital twins) is essential.

Labour Market

Concerning outflow and employability, the pharmaceutical sector in Belgium states that there is an increasing need for people with combined pharmaceutical and engineering competences, as the drugs of the future are becoming more complex, more personalised and require new sustainable production methods and technologies.

The MPE integrates in one interdisciplinary programme the pharmaceutical and engineering knowledge available at UGent in the field of development of (innovative) pharmaceutical production technologies, methods and solutions on a scientific basis for small and large drug molecules and products. This interdisciplinary profile is necessary within the context of the regional, national and international pharmaceutical industry and companies and comes at their request. The industry is slowed down by a lack of personnel with appropriate skills. The necessary competences are too fragmented between the pharmaceutical and engineering programmes. To meet this need, the MPE programme is set up to create a unique profile that is immediately employable on the labour market.