To mark their completion of the taught portion of the IMU Master of Pharmacy Practice programme, the first cohort of students had an enjoyable lunch meeting with A/Prof Mohd Zulkefeli, Dean of the School of Pharmacy, and academic staff involved in the programme. In January 2018, these students moved on to research, and are expected to complete their Master degree in July 2018.
Dr Zulkefeli was keen to hear the students’ views and thoughts on their progress, and especially their ideas about the Master programme. They discussed students’ perceptions of the programme, what they liked, what they wanted from the programme, and what could be improved. The students most liked the interactive sessions and discussion of real world examples. They valued supplementary sessions, based on their identified learning needs and aimed at consolidating their understanding. The students wanted to hear more from people in pharmaceutical industry, especially from marketing, production and quality assurance.
Dr Zulkefeli also initiated a discussion on lifelong learning and continuing professional development. He was impressed that many of the students understood the need for expertise development and had committed to this at an early stage of their careers. Dr Zulkefeli stressed the need for the development of advanced professional practise especially in light of rapid and disruptive technology driven change.
The lunch also served to remind the students that they are the part of the University community that includes faculty members and the Dean’s concern about the students’ professional and academic success.
