Sri Indu Institute of Pharmacy, Principal: Dr.D.Varun Interview

Dr. Varun Dasari is the Principal of Sri Indu Institute of Pharmacy. He has more than 15 years of experience in Academics and Administration. Moreover, he is a member of various Pharmacy Professional Organisations like IPA, APTI, APP, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Dr. Dasari has published numerous research publications in reputed National and International Journals. He has been invited as a speaker at several conferences on the National and International fronts.

What is the latest program that you are offering in Sri Indu Institute of Pharmacy which will help students outperform and stand apart from the crowd?

The latest programme that Sri Indu Institute of Pharmacy offers is the B.Pharm degree at the undergraduate level and the Pharm D. degree at the postgraduate level. We also offer a Pharm D. (P.B.) and an M.Pharm. degrees. The college offers specialisations in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs, and Pharmacy Practice. The Sri Indu Institute of Pharmacy (SIIP) adheres to the guidelines outlined by the Pharmacy Council of India and its affiliated university, JNTUH. This encompasses all facets, including curriculum development and the implementation of effective teaching modules.

We maintain a well-structured approach to lesson planning and execution, involving coordination between Department heads and faculty members. To facilitate comprehensive learning, students are provided access to reputable resources such as official compendia, reference books, updated PDFs, and credible PPTs through both online and offline modes.

What are the factors that make this program the best for the students to opt?

SIIP actively promotes practical exposure by encouraging field visits, off-campus projects, internships at hospitals, seminars, and symposia. Students' knowledge horizons are broadened through project presentations. The institute consistently incorporates global educational practises to enhance teaching and learning quality, address employability concerns, and offer supplementary skill development programmes in behavioural and social aspects.

SIIP's academic calendar is strategically designed to encompass various programmes that enhance knowledge and professional growth. Furthermore, the institute fosters holistic development through activities like yoga events, annual cultural gatherings, and sports activities, aiming to enhance students' physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Notably, SIIP's best practises include initiatives like Communication Skills enhancement, Career Inclination Programs, a state-of-the-art Advanced Language Laboratory, and the integration of value-added content into the curriculum.

What will you say are the “best practices” in the course you’re offering?

Doctor of Pharmacy and Pharm D Postbaccalaureate courses are professional pharmacy Doctoral programmes, upon completion of which students are considered pre-PhD and post-graduate professional doctoral degree holders. Additionally, students have the authorization to add the prefix Doctor (Dr) to their names. It was introduced to improve healthcare at Clinical and Hospital pharmacy services in India, one of the pharmacy services that are in direct contact with the patient healthcare system and authorised to make critical decisions regarding prescribed medications in inpatient prescriptions.

Sri Indu Institute of Pharmacy (SIIP) has adopted a successful practise of care and support-centered initiative ‘Student Mentorship’ to methodically monitor the overall aspects of students in both personal and various curricular and co-curricular aspects of academia. This initiative has been successfully implemented for the last six years. The Mentor system was acquainted with an impartial initiative to augment the understanding of all students towards the course content, teaching-learning process, and follow up of the progress of students at Internal and External assessment guidance to rectify all their doubts and resolve them.

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

The Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, B.Pharm, is a four-year programme with a semester scheme. The Bachelor of Pharmacy Regulations, 2014, were issued by the Pharmacy Council of India with the approval of the State Government and the affiliating university, JNTUH. The Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharmacy) in India is offered as a postgraduate programme after completion of the B.Pharmacy degree. The programme focuses on specialisation in the field of pharmacy.

Pharm.D course was introduced by the Government of India and the Pharmacy Council of India in 2008. The Pharm.D programme is a Doctor of Pharmacy Programme that was introduced to improve clinical pharmacy services in India and it is the only pharmacy service that is in direct contact with the patient health care system. The Pharm.D degree requires five years of classroom and hospital-based didactic study (two years of didactic study in the case of a post-baccalaureate course), followed by one year of internship training in addition to ongoing practicals and research projects.

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

SIIP provides state-of-the-art infrastructure, including well-equipped laboratories, central instrument rooms, auditoriums, gymnasiums, playgrounds, hostels, and more. The institute's commitment to energy conservation and green practises is reflected in its well-maintained campus and facilities. The institution's computer labs, library, and Wi-Fi connectivity cater to the modern-day requirements of technology-driven education.

SIIP's students actively participate in various workshops, seminars, training, and internship activities. The institute's Research and Development (R&D) Cell facilitates a research-oriented ecosystem, fostering faculty and student engagement in research projects, presentations, and conferences.

SIIP's emphasis on entrepreneurship, industry collaborations, and practical experiences equips students with a holistic education that extends beyond the classroom. SIIP's collaborations with pharmaceutical companies, labs, and hospitals underscore its commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry. These partnerships offer students insights into industry requirements and trends, ensuring that the institute's pedagogy remains aligned with real-world demands.

What are you most proud of in your career so far?

Being in the noble Pharmacy profession and serving the student community through Sri Indu Institute of Pharmacy is certainly a novelty that not many get to do and I am grateful to be in this position. Organising student-centric events making the students aware of the professional facts and training them accordingly to justify their salability factor meeting the professional estimations always makes us proud as teachers.

What strategy do you employ for building an efficient work team?

Our faculty members are a cornerstone of its success. SIIP's faculty are not only highly qualified but are also actively involved in research, publications, and professional development. Our faculty's expertise and commitment contribute to a well-rounded education that prepares students for the industry's challenges.

What do you find most difficult about being a Principal?

Serving the Institute in the position of Principal is certainly a great opportunity. Every task that I face is a challenge but there is never a difficulty that cannot be overcome. As the principal, there is a great possibility of leading a well-coordinated team and making everyone work with a positive mindset to serve the Institute and the student community.

What is your vision for the Sri Indu Institute of Pharmacy in the next Five years?

The visionary management of Sri Indu Institute of Pharmacy is preemptive in executing various strategies for the overall compliance of stakeholders to implement the strategies with respect to professional and co-curricular activities. All work plans are articulated in line with quality policy with the effective involvement of the faculty under the guidance of the Principal and are subjected to execution. As per our Chairman, R. Venkat Rao, the Vision and Mission of the institute are in tune with the intents and outcomes of pharmaceutical education, with systematic planning and its effective execution certainly reflecting the institution's efforts in achieving its objectives and goals. The perspective plan of the Institute for the next five years includes escalating Pharmaceutical research capacity, participation in NIRF Rankings, attaining a precise level of excellence in all professional activities, and more collaborations with national and international institutes of high repute for higher studies and student exchange programs.