Durham Technical Community College has received $6 million to expand its life sciences programs — the college’s largest monetary donation ever. Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordiskwhich has three manufacturing facilities in Durham and Clayton, contributed the funds.
JB Buxton, the president of Durham Techsaid this investment will apply to a number of things.
“We have the ability now to construct a new life science training facility,” he said. “We not only want to continue and expand our BioWork program, which is our short-term workforce credential. We’re going to be building out an Associates in Applied Science, a degree about technology for folks who want to progress in the industry.”
The groundbreaking of the new life sciences training center is planned for this spring.
According to the college, the Triangle area is home to over 600 life sciences companies. Shaylah Nunn Jones, the government and public affairs lead at Novo Nordisk, said the funds will help create a pipeline from the community to the industry.
“Novo Nordisk is committed to ensuring that both students planning their future careers, and those who may be seeking a career transition, understand and have access to the promise that a career in the biotechnology industry brings,” said Nunn Jones.
As part of its ongoing partnership with Durham Tech, Novo Nordisk will provide funding for other things, like part-time employees who serve in the professor-in-residence program as well as offering apprenticeships and internships.