The School of Pharmacy at IMU hosted two successful Industry Advisory Board (IAB) events in 2024, further strengthening ties between academia and industry while showcasing its commitment to producing industry-ready graduates. These events, held for the Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) and BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Chemistry programmes, emphasised collaboration, innovation, and the continuous improvement of academic curricula to meet industry demands.
Pharmaceutical Chemistry IAB meeting
15 October 2024
The Pharmaceutical Chemistry IAB meeting, conducted on 15 October 2024, brought together experts and practitioners from diverse sectors, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, and analytical services. Representatives from Noveugen Pharma, Q&Z Cosmetics Manufacturer, Neutrovis, and ALS (Malaysia) shared their insights and provided valuable feedback.
BPharm IAB meeting
13 November 2024
Similarly, the BPharm IAB meeting, held on 13 November 2024, engaged pharmacy leaders from hospitals, community pharmacies, and the pharmaceutical industry, with contributions from Sunway Medical Centre, Hospital Al-Sultan Abdullah, Caring Pharmacy, HealthLane Pharmacy, and Johnson & Johnson.
The IAB forums were transformative learning experiences for the students. The interactive forums provided a platform to engage directly with industry leaders, gaining firsthand insights into industry expectations, emerging trends, and career opportunities. The forums encouraged active discussion, allowing students to clarify their doubts and understand the skill sets required for success in dynamic fields such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and healthcare.
“The opportunity to interact with such accomplished professionals gave me a clearer understanding of what employers look for and how to prepare for a successful career,” shared a School of Pharmacy student.
Advancing the Curriculum
The programme teams for both disciplines benefited significantly from the industry feedback. The IAB members provided recommendations to ensure the curricula remain relevant and aligned with current industry practices and advancements. This feedback will enable the School of Pharmacy to further refine its training approaches, ensuring graduates are equipped with competencies that are not only academically sound but also highly practical. The interaction with IAB reinforces the programme team’s commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry. It provides a clear direction for future curriculum enhancements that prepare our students for real-world challenges.
Strengthening Industry Partnerships
For the industry, these events presented a valuable opportunity to influence the education of future professionals, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to meet evolving demands. The discussion also highlighted potential areas for collaboration, including internships, research partnerships, and projects focusing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.
Notably, several IAB members are successful alumni of IMU’s BPharm and Pharmaceutical Chemistry programmes, reflecting the strong connection between the university and the industry. Their participation demonstrated the transformative impact of an IMU education and served as an inspiration to current students.
A Win-Win Initiative
Overall, the 2024 IAB events proved to be a win-win initiative for students, the School of Pharmacy, and industry stakeholders. By fostering open dialogue, sharing expertise, and identifying areas for collaboration, the events underscored IMU’s leadership in preparing graduates who excel in both academia and industry.
These initiatives also reinforced IMU’s standing as a leading institution in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, celebrating 20 years of its BPharm programme and its sustained success in the QS World University Rankings. The School of Pharmacy looks forward to continuing its efforts in bridging academia and industry for the benefit of all stakeholders.
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