Dr. B. Premkumar is a Professor and currently working as the Head of the Department of Pharmaceutics and Biotechnology with a specialization in Immunotechnology at Sree Abirami College of Pharmacy. He has a PhD from VIT University, Tamil Nadu and a master's from J.S.S. College of Pharmacy, Tamil Nadu. He has 18 years of work experience in teaching, research and the pharma industry, during which he has worked in the fields of Immunotechnology – Production of Monoclonal antibodies, the production of Mabs by Supermacroporous Cryogel Bioreactor system in collaboration with IISC – Bangalore and IIT – Kanpur. He has a wide knowledge and experience in handling and maintaining cell cultures, is acquainted with handling bioreactor systems and is skilled in handling the CIM – Monolithic Columns for Chromatography.

Dr. Premkumar has published over 19 research papers in international and national journals. He has presented his research findings at various seminars and conferences. He has guided more than 50 undergraduate and 10 postgraduate projects in the field of pharmacy. He is an active co-guide of one PhD student and is an active member of professional bodies such as IPA and APTI.

Sree Abirami College of Pharmacy

What is the latest program that you are offering in your institute/dept. which will help students outperform and stand apart from the crowd?

We at Abirami College of Pharmacy encourage students to enrol in courses such as D. Pharmacy, B. Pharmacy, Pharm D. Pharmacy, and M. Pharmacy (Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Analysis). Under this, they learn not only the theory but also acquire the necessary practical application-based skills. Blended learning helps students attain clarity of concepts. As soon as students complete the course, they are awarded their respective degrees. Enhanced learning will add to their skill set, which will make them the ideal medical professionals. We also make them industry-ready at every step of teaching and learning practices.

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

Pharmacy students are trained to develop a professional ethos, including moral, ethical, and caring behaviours. Students are trained with adequate knowledge and skills of the profession, commitment to self-improvement, service orientation, and pride in the profession. They have the covenant to care for patients, creativity, conscience, trustworthiness, accountability for one's work, ethically sound decision-making, and leadership.

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

We believe that a motivated student can become a significant successor. At Abirami College the students are motivated to work at higher levels of their skills and abilities. We have reward systems that are helpful in influencing their behaviour. Rewards are positive outcomes that are earned as a result of a student’s performance and achievement. The mode of reward is in terms of appreciation certificates and mementoes for students in various categories like Best Student of the Year, Class Topper, and Subject Topper. Regular training and placement are imparted in the areas of communication skills and aptitude to the students to make them employable. We encourage students to pursue internships during their vacations and acquire the necessary problem-solving skills. 

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

Our students are blessed to have Abirami Hospital, where they gain practical experience to enhance their skills. Abirami Educational Trust works with the objective of establishing strong industry connections, conducting workshops, collaborating with industry and providing suggestions for process improvement as well as curriculum improvement. The Entrepreneurship Development Cell was established with the objective of building a strong brand presence in the industry by constantly interfacing and interacting with stakeholders. The cell is involved in grooming the entrepreneurship cell in the near future. The college follows an outcome-based education by developing course plans with objectives and outcomes. We have launched the Alumni Portal to connect with the alumni and utilise their services, like Guest Lectures, Internship opportunities, placements, etc.

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

Educators are lifelong learners. I believe that Unlearn, Learn and Relearn should be the mantra for all educators. There are some strategies that I repeat to myself and train other faculty members to enhance their effectiveness. Committing to improve as a learner, striving for deeper learning, identifying what you need to learn and excel, and collaborative studies. I also take notes in learning teaching practices, retrieving and recollecting the information, approaching mistakes as learning opportunities, and always trying to be available to students to clarify their doubts.

What are the benefits and career options after pursuing this course?

A pharmacy degree gives access to a wide range of opportunities. Nursing homes, hospitals, medical centers, and community clinics all provide career opportunities. There are other career opportunities that our students have found work in roles such as, Drug inspector, Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical marketing, Pathological lab scientist, Health inspector, Chemical/drug technician, Medical devices and quality control manufacturing, Medical Underwriter, Pharmaceutical company, Wholesaler, and R and D executive.

When you came to the college, what was your vision and how are you trying to achieve the same?

My vision is always to provide what's best for my students. My desire is to provide an environment in which they can feel and learn comfortably. My emphasis is to tell the students what they need to understand that it is through mistakes and gentle correction that they learn. I want the students to genuinely enjoy classes and come to class with a smile on their faces. I’m on the journey with every day, every class, and every student.

What made you decide to become a teacher?

I hail from a family of educators and academic influencers. I live by the conviction that “An educator has two jobs. Filling young minds with knowledge, but most importantly, giving those minds a compass so that knowledge doesn’t go to waste. I wanted to encourage students to see what everyone else has seen but to think what nobody else has thought. I love teaching and have always believed that an educator who loves teaching would make the learners love learning and leave a lasting impression in a student’s life.