Dr. Ashok Kumar Malpani is the Principal of Rajiv Memorial Education Society’s College of Pharmacy. He has memberships with the Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India and the Indian Pharmaceutical Teachers of India. He has also done 24 paper and poster presentations and over 19 research paper publications. Additionally, in his career, he guided more than 25 M.Pharm. and D.Pharm. projects. Dr. Malpani joined as an Assistant Professor in R.M.E.S.’s College of Pharmacy in 1992 and worked there till 2002. Thereafter, he worked as Principal at Tipu Sultan College of Pharmacy, Gulbarga, as Principal at K.C.T. College of Pharmacy, Gulbarga, and as Vice Principal at N.E.T. Pharmacy College, Raipur. He has been associated with the R.M.E.S. College of Pharmacy since 2014.

RAJIV MEMORIAL EDUCATION SOCIETY'S COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

What are some valuable insights of the program that you are offering at your institute/dept?

Our institution deals not just with instructions, organised research, and co-curricular but also with extracurricular activities for our students. So, instruction means both teaching and training activities for us. We provide elaborate teaching, training, and research for our B.Pharm. and Diploma courses. Whatever research activities we do as a part of our course or curriculum, we deal with them in a systematic manner. We call for a specific set of procedures or protocols to be followed, for the finalisation of protocols or synapses if required, even for animal studies, and for IAC meetings. Those are all routine parts of our organisation.

How do you strategize the curriculum and how often it gets updated to make it befitting for the students?

Apart from the extracurricular activities, we go for cultural activities every year to identify hidden talents among the students. We never know who may be good in studies while another may be good in other activities. We try to get to know students and we ask them to continue on their own in their interest areas so that they can build up successful careers after the completion of their course. There are shifts in our pedagogy, technology, psychology, and philosophy, and we are changing our teaching-learning processes accordingly to be more effective in the present day.

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How did you train yourself/faculty to deliver this program to the students?

I am the head of our institution. I need to be punctual and dedicate myself to the institute. I need to work with honesty and integrity. These words I also share with my teachers so that they can share them with their students as well. This will ensure they graduate with flying colours and do well in their careers. We aim to give every student in our care the very best possible education in order to prepare them for life beyond college. We are a ‘Learning Community’ that encourages staff, students, past students, and parents to involve themselves fully in all aspects of college life and to identify themselves with its core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Cooperation, and Achievement.

How does the program ensure that students are being prepared for the future?

Internships are a part of the course curriculum. Students have to complete their internships during their sixth semester. We are affiliated with the Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, a government organisation at District Hospital, where our students get enormous experience by watching, learning, and participating in the world. The benefit of the internship for the students is that they get to apply their theory. They get a feel for the work environment, which boosts their confidence and increases their motivation. Not only do they get to build up their network but they can also get jobs directly through pre-placement offers. Apart from this, they also go for industrial training but it is not part of an internship. They are a part of what you can say to increase their knowledge. The transformation and conversion of theoretical knowledge into practical knowledge are highly valuable for students.

What valuable advice would you like to the students for them to have a prosperous career ahead? 

It is a fantastic course, and once students complete a diploma course in pharmacy, there are various job opportunities waiting for them. There are jobs in the Government sector and the private sector as drug inspectors, graduate pharmacists, government analysts, or junior scientific officers. Alternatively, they can also opt for higher education and complete a B.Pharma. degree or an M.Pharma. and MBA thereafter. Pharmacy degrees are in high demand and professionals are required in hospitals at high packages. Once you prove you have enough skill and talent, nobody will stop you from delivering and discharging your duties. You will be able to earn respect, integrity, and pride in your work. Looking at your skill and talent, you will definitely be identified and you will be paid more than this.