Singapore: PAREXEL and PAREXEL Academy hosted a Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) roundtable in Taipei, Taiwan on November 23, 2015 focusing on the topic of embracing a future in the clinical research industry with a leading talent strategy.

The objective of the event was to join the PAREXEL Academy and leading KOLs to develop strategies to addressing the clinical research workforce shortage in Asia.

Fifteen participants joined the discussion, including five Taiwanese KOLs from Taipei Medical University, China Medical University Hospital, Changhua Christian Hospital, Mackay Memorial Hospital, and Sinew Pharmaceutical Company.

Dr Albert Siu, VP of Learning and Development, General Manager of PAREXEL Academy facilitated the discussion. Dr. Siu was joined by PAREXEL's Dr. Jing Ping Yeo, VP of APAC Project Leadership Department; Brian Yang, VP of APAC Business Development; and Dr. Heidrun Bruchmann, Senior Director of PAREXEL Academy.

"PAREXEL is committed to developing the biopharmaceutical industry's next-generation global workforce, and we believe it is important to discuss with KOLs with a goal of solving the current workforce challenges in Asia," said Dr. Siu.

The group shared insights and brought PAREXEL's practical experiences around the globe to the discussion of common talent resource challenges. PAREXEL Academy also shared successful educational experiences in National University of Singapore (NUSAGE) have enlightened all participants' idea of building clinical research subjects into university curriculums ahead. Dr. Bruchmann discussed how the PAREXEL Academy "tailors educational and degree programs with partners to equip the future health sciences workforce with a holistic and cross-functional foundation in clinical research and clinical trial management."

The roundtable yielded three key agreements to help solve the biopharmaceutical workforce shortage and other clinical research talent challenges in Asia:

1. Strengthen the response sensitivity of study sites, as this is a critical and competitive factor for Taiwan during country selection stage
2. Start industry talents cultivation in universities: Encourage more collaboration with Universities - curriculum development to meet talents requirements into the market
3. Build specific incentives for young doctors to join clinical trials as career options, and encourage more investments in site staff development to enhance CTC competitiveness

"We believe this round table is an innovative way to accelerate the penetration of global standards of clinical research in Asia while helping to address the current clinical research workforce shortage,"added Dr Siu.