University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), UGC Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS), Panjab University organized the First Autumn School for Training and Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences under UGC Networking Resource Centre on “Newer Paradigms in Pharmaceutics & Biopharmaceutics” at Panjab University Campus from October 25 to 30.
“Twenty mid-level faculty members, representing 10 different states of India with teaching experience ranging between 5 and 18 years, were selected from over 400 pharmacy colleges across the country. A total of 26 distinguished scientists from the pharmaceutical industry, CRO’s, academia and research organizations from India and also overseas (Canada), trained the faculty participants on emerging trends in pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics during the deliberations.”, said the co-ordinator of the Autumn School, Dr Bhupinder Singh Bhoop, Professor at UIPS & Dean-Alumni Relations of Panjab University.
The wide range of topics included, rational product development, NDDS and its optimized development using DoE, solid state pharmaceutics, GLP, pharmacy practice, scientific writing, IPR, regulatory affairs, tech-transfer issues, generics, business paradigms and student employability.
In NDDS, emphasis was made on nanocarrier-based protein delivery, nanosuspensions, brain delivery, vesicular systems, gene delivery, targeted delivery and oral delivery as affected by GI physiology. In biopharmaceutics, the focus was on the science and art of pharmacokinetic modeling, biopharmaceutics in drug delivery, BA/BE studies especially for oncology products, bioanalytical method development, biowaivers using BCS and IVIVC, non-compartmental pharmacokinetics, PK-PD issues, drug metabolism research and in silico ADME prediction.
On the inaugural day of the Autumn School on October 25 , Dr J. K. Paliwal, Director, B V Patel PERD (Pharmaceutical Education Research & Development) Centre, Ahmedabad, was the chief guest. Dr K. C. Jindal, President R&D (Formulations), FDC Ltd., Mumbai, delivered the key note address on “Industry-Institute Partnership in Fostering Pharmaceutical Research”. Dr Shivprakash, MD, Synchron Research Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad, was the guest of honor. Dr Harkishan Singh, Professor Emeritus, UIPS shared his views. Prof. Karan Vasisht, Chairperson, UIPS, presided over the function.
Besides these lectures, the faculty participants were also provided with hands-on training on formulation of SLNs and liposomes, pharmacokinetic simulations and application of DoE to drug delivery development. A visit to NIPER was also organized for the participants.
In the valedictory session, a panel discussion was conducted on the contemporary topic, “Changing Pharma Paradigms: Student Employability Issues” chaired by Professor Harkishan Singh, Emeritus Professor, UIPS. Prof. Harkishan Singh shared his views with the young faculty members and emphasized on the need of a paradigm change in pharmaceutical education. Besides Prof Singh, Prof R N Saha (BITS), Prof Saranjit Singh (NIPER), Prof Karan Vasisht (UIPS), Prof. Kamlinder K Singh (SNDT) and Prof Bhupinder Singh Bhoop (UIPS) also participated in the panel discussion.
Earlier, Prof. Bhupinder Singh Bhoop, presented a brief report of the one-week long training course. Prof. Karan Vasisht, Chairman, UIPS, also presented his remarks. Dr Indu Pal Kaur of UIPS gave the vote of thanks.
University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 10 centers in different disciplines across the country to train the respective young faculty members in the newer trends in the corresponding fields. The only resource centre selected for pharmaceutical sciences for training the young pharmaceutical faculty for five years is UIPS. The current Autumn School was in sequel to three UGC training schools already conducted in January, March and June this year for entry level pharmacy faculty.