A Pharmacy student conducting a brief presentation for Deputy Director of Health

With expectations for the pharmaceutical sector in Malaysia to grow 8% this year to RM610 million from RM564 million in 2011, UCSI University responds to escalating industry demands by offering its own Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Technology programmes.

Under the University's Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, both courses accept degree holders with relevant science backgrounds – including chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology and forensic chemistry, among others – in addition to pharmacy, and cater to these relevant industries.

Take for example the Faculty's Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry course comprising students presently employed in myriad roles and industries.

One such student is Ms Quah Suk Yen, who describes the course as "new but challenging", "flexible" and "a mixed mode Master's programme that offers both coursework and research components."

She explained that she had chosen the course because it presented her with opportunities to conduct independent research – that will surely hone her pharmaceutical science knowledge and other skills in her career as a pharmacist – and flexibility, among other reasons.

Currently employed as a Medical Ward Pharmacist in the Clinical Pharmacy Services Unit in Hospital Putrajaya, Quah said: "This programme encourages students to execute self-directed laboratory practices and discussions."

"There are also numerous opportunities for students to propose research projects, under the tutelage of the Faculty's experienced academicians," she said.

Based on what we have learned, Quah elucidated, we will be able to create our own research topics and laboratory practical.

"I am also very interested in two of the course modules – namely, Research 1 and Advanced Pharmaceutical Analysis 1 – which focuses on how pharmaceutical chemistry is applied in a research piece that integrates industrial exposure and clinical aspects," she said.

Above all, Faculty lecturers are also active industry practitioners themselves and one of their recent research topics includes a study by Mr Lokesh and Dr Palanirajan Vijay (as co-researchers) on the formulation and characterisation of novel bioconjugated polymeric antibiotic nanoparticles.

Funded by the University's Centre of Excellence for Research, Value Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CERVIE), the research aims to develop bioconjugated nanoparticles, improve the efficacy of antibiotics by reducing its loading dose and increase the duration of antibiotic action.

On another note, the University's graduating Pharmacy students took the "Oath of a Pharmacist" at the oath-taking ceremony cum gala night in Cititel, Mid Valley on the 12^th of May.

More than 160 attendees were present at the ceremony, which kicked off with a welcome speech by the organising chairperson Ms P'ng Xiu Wen.

The oath was taken in front of Mr John Chang, Deputy President of Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS), the University's Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs & Research) Professor Emeritus Dr Lim Koon Ong, lecturers, alumni and fellow peers.

It was undeniably a profound moment for the graduates when they made the pledge to devote their professional lives to serve all healthcare communities and to make knowledge and skill enhancement a lifelong commitment for the development of the pharmacy profession.

According to Faculty Dean Associate Professor Dr Yeong, fresh graduates should be committed to continuous learning. Lifelong learning, she said, is not confined to the attainment of masters' degrees and doctorates.

"It is the continuous pursuit of knowledge and experience and knowing what motivates you," she elaborated. "Learning does not only improve your personal development and relationships with others, but also increases your adaptability at the workplace."

Focused and smoothly organised, the event was the ideal platform to foster closer relationships among the students, lecturers and alumni.

Earlier this year, the pharmaceutical landscape was listed as one of the entry point projects (EPPs) related to healthcare under the Malaysian Government's Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) to generate more qualified pharmacists by 2020.

Thus, it is without doubt that private higher education providers play a vital role in this initiative to further develop the sector as an engine of growth for the Malaysian economy.

To find out more about UCSI University's Pharmacy programmes, feel free to pay us a visit on our Open Day from 8^th to 9^th September 2012 (between 9.00am – 6.00pm), contact our counsellors at 03-9101 8880 or email us at www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my/onlineenquiry for any enquiries.

You may also visit the UCSI University website at www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my