Exchange

This program was led by Dean Pan Shiow-Lin and supported by Vice Deans HuangFu Wei-Chun and Shu-Huei Kao, along with Associate Professor Jun-Jen Liu and Assistant Professor Wu Chao-Jung. The initiative aims to help students gain in-depth knowledge of healthcare policies, management methods, and operations in other countries through hands-on experience, while fostering international teaching and academic collaboration.

During the first week, students toured the pharmaceutical plant, learning about processes such as raw material storage, product manufacturing, quality testing, packaging, and logistics. They then joined the Quality Control (QC) department, participating in four specialized groups: Raw Material Testing, Finish Product Testing, Validation, and Stability Testing. They practiced operating gas chromatography (GC) to analyze raw material purity, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), comparing its applications with GC. The students also learned to measure disintegration and viscosity of pharmaceuticals and received training on various testing techniques, including dissolution, particle size, melting point, humidity, and infrared spectroscopy (IR).

In the second week, students worked in the microbiology lab, following standard operating procedures (SOP) for experiments. They conducted antimicrobial preservative efficacy tests and water sample analyses. A final tour of the plant’s water treatment system deepened their understanding of the critical role of water management in pharmaceutical production.

Beyond professional skills, the students gained rich cross-cultural experiences. Malaysia’s multicultural environment and significant Chinese population made communication and dining feel familiar and comfortable. Students mentioned that the food in Malaysia is similar to Taiwan’s, though slightly spicier, and the widespread use of English ensured smooth communication, minimizing cultural barriers.

The students also noted differences between workplace cultures in Malaysia and Taiwan, especially the common practice of post-work gatherings. During the internship, they befriended students from UCSI University and joined several post-work dinners, sometimes even with their supervisors. These interactions provided insight into the social aspects of Malaysian work culture.

Due to the students' outstanding performance, Y.S.P. Industries has agreed to continue offering internship opportunities next year, extending the duration from two weeks to one month. This extended program will provide more time for students to gain deeper insights and experiences, strengthening academic and industry collaboration between Taiwan and Malaysia.

Through this internship, students not only learned about the operations of a multinational pharmaceutical company but also enhanced their cross-cultural adaptability, laying a solid foundation for their future international careers. The College of Medical Science and Technology hopes that these students will consider working abroad as part of their career plans and become key contributors to Taiwan’s healthcare industry under the New Southbound Policy. (Written by the College of Medical Science and Technology)