Popular pharmacy course
TODAY’S pharmacists are taking on more significant roles as medical counsellors, educators and advocates.
AIMST University’s Bachelor in Pharmacy programme is fully accredited by MQA (MQA/FA8482). A well-known academician with over 30 years of experience, Prof Mohd Baidi Bahari stressed that the four-year programme balances didactic and experiential learning and is designed to equip students for versatile roles in their chosen path.
The outcome-based curriculum produces graduates with critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, leadership qualities, entrepreneurship and social skills.
For exposure to pharmaceutical industries, students are placed in suitable sectors locally or overseas for at least six weeks at the end of their third year. A collaboration with JSS University allows industrial placements in Ooty and Mysore, India. Students benefit from the partnership in the aspects of manufacturing and production of vaccine at the Pasteur Institute in Coonoor, India.
The clinical experience reflects the contemporary healthcare environment in Malaysia. Students will be attached to the hospital for five weeks of clerkship in different wards. They also undergo four weeks of hospital training and are required to complete rotation in community pharmacies (two weeks).
The passing rate of AIMST students in the recent Malaysian Qualifying Examination for Practicing Pharmacist was above 85%, which is a testament to the adequacy of the syllabus. The performance of its students in the National Pharmacy Quiz and Clinical Pharmacy Challenge was also commendable.
AIMST University’s serene campus at the foothills of Gunung Jerai, Kedah, also provides ample space for student activities. The Pharmaceutical Society of AIMST (PharmSA) is regarded as one of the most active societies.
To benefit the local community, the students are committed to organising the annual Public Health Campaign. Students also visit old folk and OKU homes around Kuala Muda and Yan Districts as well as the Perkampungan Orang Asli in Baling, where they have opportunities to apply their knowledge in patient care.
Alumni Puspha Kanniappan, who is currently working as Pharmacist in Hospital Sri Manjung, Perak acknowledged she was able to develop the necessary professional expertise while having the opportunity to get involved in various campus activities in AIMST,
“The dedication, support and motivation of the lecturers are remarkable and enabled me to achieve my dream.”
On completion of the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme at AIMST, students may enrol in the Provisionally Registered Pharmacist (PRP) training. AIMST is listed as one of the training site providers by the Malaysian Pharmacy Board.
Those who undergo the PRP training in AIMST University will enrol in the postgraduate programme simultaneously. At the end of the practice, the students will acquire both a master’s degree and a practising license.
The Faculty of Pharmacy also offers various related postgraduate programmes. Upon completion of the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme, students can enrol in any graduate programme offered by the faculty.