Demand-Driven Training
According to Diekstra, who leads Post-Bachelor Courses & Training at HAN’s Academy of Applied Biosciences and Chemistry (ATBC), the project fits seamlessly with PharmaNL’s mission. “With this initiative, we’re responding directly to the growing demand for up-to-date, practice-oriented training. We aim to strengthen the existing pharmaceutical education landscape with eight forward-thinking courses tailored to professionals already working in the field. This not only contributes to individual professional development, but also to reinforcing the pharmaceutical value chain in the Netherlands.”
The courses are largely developed in a demand-driven manner. Rather than being pre-designed, content is created in close coordination with companies. A key tool in this process is the PharmaNL GAP analysis—a digital instrument based on the Small Molecules and Biologics 4D Map—used to assess specific training needs across companies. These insights guide the content structure, difficulty level, and the involvement of industry experts in the course design.
Early Pilots Prove the Approach’s Value
Now, one year into the project, two of the eight courses have been completed: one on NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), developed by HAN, and one on Organic Synthesis, developed by RU. Both were piloted with industry participants in early 2025, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. According to Diekstra, participants found the courses relevant, valuable, and immediately applicable:
“They could clearly see how to apply the new knowledge in their daily work. That tells us we’re truly adding value with this approach.”
The pilot rounds also yielded constructive feedback. “Naturally, there were areas for improvement. We’re now addressing those, so that the final versions align even better with the target group’s needs,” says Diekstra. The NMR course has already been added to HAN’s regular training offering (for professionals) and is scheduled to run again in March 2026.
Obstacles
Despite this positive progress, the project has faced its share of challenges. One of them is securing active engagement from the industry. “The need for further training is clear, but getting people around the table to help shape the course content remains difficult,” Diekstra explains. “Many professionals simply don’t have the time, or they’re unsure which skills the future will actually demand. That means we, as initiators, have to work even harder.”
Another hurdle is the new Labour Relations Deregulation Act (Wet DBA), which complicates the hiring of independent experts from industry as freelancers to contribute to course development. These are people still actively working in the field, whose insights are incredibly valuable. “The law limits our options, reduces flexibility, and puts pressure on the budget—since alternative hiring models are often more expensive,” Diekstra adds.
New Courses in Development: From Early-cGMP to AI & iPSCs in EDD
Despite these obstacles, development of the remaining courses is well underway. While topics are still being finalized, likely subjects include early-current Good Manufacturing Practice (early-cGMP), applications of AI and data analysis, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), and advanced organic synthesis. The goal is to have all eight courses finalized and available by the end of 2027. Thanks to their international relevance and alignment with current industry trends, the consortium expects strong interest from outside the Netherlands as well.
Diekstra sees the broader impact of the project beyond knowledge transfer: “We’re not just creating content-rich courses—we’re also helping companies become more attractive to new talent. If you can show that you invest in learning and development, you’re simply a more appealing employer. And in a tight labor market, that really matters.”
Advice to Other Projects: Engage Early with the Industry
Finally, Diekstra offers clear advice to other PharmaNL initiatives or organizations considering a grant application: “Involve the industry from the very start—even during the idea phase. It’s not always easy, but it prevents issues later on with buy-in and relevance. Also, connect with other PharmaNL projects in places like Leiden or Groningen to avoid duplication and to share knowledge. Only by working together can we truly move the sector forward.”
Enrollment Now Open for NMR Course
The first tangible results of the project are already visible. The NMR course developed by HAN is now officially available and has proven its value in the pilot phase. The next regular edition is scheduled for March 2026 and will be taught by four NMR experts from different companies at Pivot Park.
“We’re proud to offer something that companies can immediately benefit from,” Diekstra concludes. More information about the course content and registration process can be found on the HAN website here.
News July 7, 2025 