San Jacinto College and NIBRT extend partnership
PASADENA, Texas — San Jacinto College and the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) have extended their partnership, continuing the College’s role as the exclusive provider of NIBRT-licensed training in the southern part of the United States.
The partnership comes at a pivotal time for Houston’s growing life sciences and biopharmaceutical industry. Major investments in pharmaceutical manufacturing are establishing Houston, and particularly the Generation Park area, as an emerging center for biopharmaceutical innovation, manufacturing, and workforce development.
“Houston is entering an exciting new chapter in life sciences, and San Jacinto College is proud to be at the center of preparing the workforce that will make this growth possible,” said Dr. Brenda Hellyer, San Jacinto College Chancellor. “Our continued partnership with NIBRT gives students and industry partners access to globally recognized biopharmaceutical training while allowing us to respond directly to the workforce needs of employers. We are committed to ensuring that employers throughout the region have access to talented, highly trained professionals, who are ready to contribute from day one.”
Generation Park recently attracted a $6.5 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing investment from Eli Lilly and Company, which is expected to create more than 600 high-wage jobs. More recently, Bristol Myers Squibb announced plans for a $2.3 billion manufacturing campus at Generation Park that is reported to bring nearly 500 permanent skilled jobs in addition to about 2,000 construction and indirect jobs. These investments further reinforce the area’s momentum as a destination for the next generation of pharmaceutical manufacturing and underscore the growing need for a highly skilled workforce trained in modern biomanufacturing facilities.
The San Jacinto College Center for Biotechnology at the Generation Park Campus opened in fall 2025. The center offers workforce training and shorter credentials for post-graduates, as well as courses that lead to an associate of applied science degree. The center’s focus is on emerging programs, including cell and gene therapy, biologics, small molecules, and more. The San Jacinto College biotechnology program also offers courses on the South Campus, encompassing all aspects of biomanufacturing, specialized instrumentation and equipment training, and advanced techniques.
San Jacinto College is a key a member of the NIBRT global program, which includes partners across four continents. The NIBRT Global Partner Programme supports an international alliance of training and education organizations to help address the global shortage of a skilled biopharma workforce. The Global Partners Programme enables qualified organizations to license NIBRT’s expertise, curriculum, and intellectual property to provide biopharma training and education capability in their region. Further information is available on the NIBRT Global Partner Programme here.
“This extension reflects the trust San Jacinto College has placed in the NIBRT Global Partner Programme, and the results they have delivered speak for themselves,” said Darrin Morrissey, CEO, NIBRT. “As the biopharma industry continues to evolve, our partnership ensures learners in the region have access to training that keeps pace with where the sector is heading.”
About NIBRT
The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) is a global centre of excellence for training and research in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. NIBRT is located in a world class facility in Dublin, Ireland. This facility is purpose built to closely replicate a modern bioprocessing plant with state-of-the-art equipment and enables NIBRT to offer the highest quality training and research solutions. NIBRT’s mission is to support the growth and development of all aspects of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
About San Jacinto College Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today,
and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris
County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than
1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving
the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution
that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately
45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and
certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer
to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding
bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
