The University of Oklahoma's Gallogly College of Engineering rolled out OU's first micro-credential program on Sept. 1, opening a new path into bioprocessing for students and working professionals.

The Bioprocessing Micro-Credentialing Program is built around hands-on workshops at the OU Bioprocessing Core Facility (OU BPCF) on the Norman campus, according to a university announcement. Participants who complete the required workshops earn an OU-verified digital credential in bioprocessing skills used in biopharma and advanced manufacturing.

The program is open to all career stages, including undergraduates and industry professionals looking to add credentials.

OU faculty and operational experts designed the workshops, which pair classroom theory with hands-on equipment training. The university described the launch as the foundation for a broader system of stackable credentials aimed at building Oklahoma's biotech workforce.

John Klier, dean of the Gallogly College of Engineering, called the program a catalyst for Oklahoma's biotech economy and said OU is committed to delivering training aligned with industry needs.

Klier has championed the bioprocessing push for months. In a March announcement about earlier specialized workshops at the same facility, he called them "an investment in Oklahoma's future."

The micro-credential builds on the college's existing Bioprocessing Certificate Program, which is part of a $35 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant-driven effort to strengthen workforce development and Oklahoma's biotech sector, according to the March announcement. The university's Sept. 1 release confirmed EDA investment supports the new micro-credential as well, though it did not specify a dollar amount tied to the credential alone.

Industry demand is driving the effort. Biologic medicines such as antibodies now account for nearly 50% of the global research and development pipeline, according to the university. The BPCF academics page puts biotechnology's annual growth rate at nearly 14%.

Workshop schedules, costs and registration details were not included in the announcement. The university directs interested participants to the BPCF academics page for more information.