Executive Interview : Q&A with Dr.B.Suresh on IPA-SF
Hon Dr. B. Suresh is the President of Pharmacy Council of India as well as Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA). It was his vision coupled with his enthusiasm which has brought IPA to the ladder were its standing today. He has successfully seen the association through various programmes and initiated new ones both at national and international levels.
With the help of active members of IPA-SF , Pharmainfo.net was able to grab 5 minutes from Dr.B.Suresh busy schedule to discuss about IPA-SF and GATE 2010 for Pharmacy Students.
1.Could you please explain what is IPA-Students’ Congress, when it was started, and the reason behind initiating this congress ?
IPA had been found long back but IPA-SC was started about 2 years back in 2007. Being the President of IPA, it is my duty to encourage students who are the budding pharmacists of our country to be actively involved with activities of IPA. This is how IPA-SF (a forum specialized for students) came into existence as a branch of IPA. Thereby IPA-SC (Students’ Congress) is held annually by IPA-SF to address to the needs of the students.
The first IPA-SC was held at Mumbai where The President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was invited as the chief guest and the second Students’ Congress was held at Bangalore this year (2009).
The reason behind initiating the Students’ Congress was to allow the students who are the future pharmacists of the nation to know about the professional activities conducted by IPA and train them young for new upcoming challenges in the field. IPA guides the students in selecting the right career option. IPA has been a torchbearer & led students to voice their opinions & express their views, as students are the ones who will direct the activities of IPA in the future.
2. What was the theme of the 2nd IPA-SC ?
The theme for 2nd IPA-SC was “QUALITY BY DESIGN”
3. As a pharmacy student, why should one participate in IPA-SC? What would I, as a student gain by attending this congress?
When students attend the congress they get a chance to meet their colleagues from different regions of the country which helps them in networking with various people. Students realize their calibre where they stand in the fraternity as they share, learn and experience & thus can help each other in improvising which fosters mutual growth. Also at IPA-SC there is emphasis on student activities, the needs of students are addressed to, such as what kind of changes must be brought about in the educational system so as to meet the needs of students. At the congress the programmes and seminars are presented according to the point of view of students, this makes the difference in students attending the congress.
4. What is the major difference between Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC) conducted annually and IPA-SC?
IPC is a federal body consisting of 5 other organizations i.e. Indian Pharmaceutical Graduate Association, Pharmacy Teachers’ Association of India, Drug Control Association and many others, it is also the spirit of profession.
The IPC focuses on students needs, during this congress students might meet a person who is their ideal.
In IPA-SC students meet the people of their ages so they can share their problems, learn and experience.
6. When and where would the 3rd IPASC be held?
Taking the demands into consideration the 3rd IPA-SC would be held in North India. The respective mentors will discuss with the students and decide the school/college which would like to host the IPA-SC and IPA will encourage them for the same.
7. Can a B.Pharm graduate appear for GATE ?
(With a new challenge being put to pharmacy students as the GATE paper is being removed, who will conduct the GATE exam from 2010 onwards for pharmacy students ?)
This question is taken up seriously with the ministry and HRD and it is best to make a clear decision whether the National Coordinating Board (IIT) will conduct the exam or AICTE will be given the option. If not AICTE, then at their behest IIT will be given the authority to conduct the exam and PCI will be happy to help the board.
I have proposed to the Ministry of Human Resource Development to consider the following suggestions –
> NCB be advised to continue conducting GATE exam for pharmacy students until clear decision/ clarity is given with due authority to AICTE or other authorities for conducting the GATE exam.
>PCI would be more than pleased to co-operate with MHRD in facilitating the conduct of GATE exam for pharmacy students.
> An early decision in this matter and necessary publicity about the said decision would go in a long way in clearing doubts of several thousands of pharmacy students aspiring to appear for GATE exam.
We are yet to hear from the Ministry of Human Resources Development in this regard.Time has come for us as Pharmacy professionals to join hands and make a unified voice heard nationally in this regard. I encourage all Pharmacists and Pharmacy organizations to write to the Chairman, National Coordinating Board, GATE Exams and Ministry of Human Resources Development to address this issue immediately.
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